Obituary of Ronnie Susan Mandel

Ronnie Sue Mandel, age 76, passed away unexpectedly at Galloway Ridge retirement community on January 1st, 2013. She was born in N.Y.C. on March 17, 1936 to Dr. and Mrs. Emanuel Rabins. She was a graduate of Columbia University School of General Studies. Ronnie Sue was the founder of the Sandell Dance Studio of Chapel Hill, N.C. Her teaching passion for 35 years was ballet, jazz, tap and pointe. She encouraged many of her students to achieve careers in the musical arts. She married her loving husband of 54 years Stanley R. Mandel, MD, who served the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Hospitals as Professor of Surgery, Chief of Staff and Executive Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs. With Dr. Mandel, she pursued mentoring and development of faculty and staff of UNC Chapel Hill. Her family consisted of one son, Colin Mandel (deceased), 3 daughters, Allyson Pittman, Carolyn Morton and Katharine Fowle and 8 grandchildren: Nicole Pittman, Richard Pittman, Edward Morton, Robert Morton, Meghan Morton, Aerial Fowle, Cooper Fowle and Colby Fowle. A crucial dimension of her life was her love of animals, particularly German Shepherds and her loyalty to UVA in Charlottesville where the Mandels lived during Dr. Mandel's training. Visitation will be held at Walker's Funeral Home on 120 West Franklin St, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27516 on Friday, January 4th from 7 to 9pm.. Funeral Services will be conducted at the Church of the Holy Family, 200 Hayes Road at 1pm on Saturday January 5th. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent the Alzheimer's Association or UNC Children's Hospital. Condolences may be made to Walker Funeral Home at <www.walkersfuneralservice.com>