Continued from previous page Mandel, Ann J.
GLASS CITY, Pa. — Ann Jones Mandel, aka Audrey Ann Mandel, 91 of Glass City (rural Philipsburg), passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, surrounded by her family. She lived a long, rich life.
Born on November 26, 1929, in Philipsburg, she was a daughter of the late Harry "Punk" and Minnie Rose (Enss) Jones. Ann graduated in the top ten percent of her class at Philipsburg High School, and was a cheerleader and lifeguard. After training at Philipsburg Hospital, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in 1956. She was one of only two nurses from the Philipsburg area to be accepted into that program and to graduate with her degree. She met her husband, John Mandel, on January 12, 1955, while home from school for the winter break. John had just been discharged from the Navy. It was love at first sight, and that love never dimmed for the next 65 years. They literally built their current home themselves during their engagement, and moved into it after their marriage on September 15, 1956. After starting a family in 1957, Ann was a "working mom" and continued to work as a nurse at Altoona Hospital. She also helped to establish the Altoona nursing school program, working as a nursing instructor up until 1963, when their daughter Linda was born. Jimmy followed in 1965. After spending time at home raising their children to elementary school age, Ann accepted the position of school nurse for the West Branch School District. During this time, she also attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania on a part-time basis to obtain her master’s degree in child guidance. She became both the schoolwide nurse and child guidance counselor, working with many of the troubled youth and assisting families within the school district. Ann finally retired from West Branch after twenty
West Branch after twenty years of service there, and spent the next thirty years in all of her favorite pursuits, including hunting, fishing, and traveling with her husband and son Johnny. She also enjoyed theatre adventures and traveling with her daughter, including a trip to Switzerland in 2013, a trip to Disneyland in California in 2015, and a trip to Kentucky to see The Ark Project in 2019. She attended more than her fair share of school "pumpkin races," sporting events, musical theatre performances, and dance competitions to cheer on her grandchildren! Ann was a huge believer in educational opportunity and never hesitated to urge people to continue their education at any stage of life. Ann was a dedicated Christian (and lived it every day) and spent many of her retirement years serving on the board, as a deaconess, and a member of the Edith Shimmel Missionary Society at the First Church of Christ in Philipsburg. She is one of the few members of the church who have belonged to it since birth!
Ann is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, John; her daughter, Linda Mandel Clemente and her husband Jude of Albany; and her brother Harry Richard "Dick" Jones and his wife Connie of Sanborn, N.Y. She was a wonderful and beloved "Grammy" to her four grandchildren, Tory John Clemente, Mandel Jude Clemente, Jacob Anthony Clemente, and Lydia Rose Clemente; as well as a loving sister-in-law to Dixie Jones and Carmen Montoro, both of Niagara Falls; and an aunt and "second mom" to many nieces and nephews.
Ann is now enjoying her eternal reward in the loving arms of Christ, surrounded by those who have gone before her, including her parents; her sons, John Paul "Johnny" and James Edward "Jimmy"; her sister, Mary Larue Viehdorfer; and her brothers, William Paul Jones and Robert Lee Jones.
Friends will be received in the First Church of Christ, 1437 Tyrone Pike, Philipsburg on Tuesday, November 16, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and on Wednesday, November 17, from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of service at 11:30 a.m. Pastor Ryan Parish will officiate. Ann will be laid to rest in the Philipsburg Cemetery.
Those wishing to remember Ann in a special way may send a contribution to the First Church of Christ, either in care of the Edith Shimmel Missionary Society or to the
Missionary Society or to the General Fund, at 1437 Tyrone Pike, Philipsburg, PA, 16866.
Arrangements are under the care of the Dahlgrenspewock Funeral Home, Inc., 228 N. Centre St., Philipsburg, Pa. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at dahlgren-spewock.com.