Rose Eleanor Mandel

Rose Eleanor (Ellie) Mandel (nee Hegedus) passed peacefully March 7, 2026. She is survived by her daughter, Maria Mandel, son-in-law Craig Wilson and grandson Jace as well as her cousin, John Hegedus. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack Mandel, parents Barbara and Joseph and amazing artist cousin Joan Hegedus (nee Howard).

Born August 28, 1930, in a cold water flat in St. Louis, she attended Roosevelt High School and St. Agnes School. Ellie earned her BA and MA degrees at St. Louis University, with graduate work at Northwestern University. She was always proud of her master’s thesis on Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist papers. Ellie worked for the Defense Mapping Agency (DMAC) for over 30 years and was once St. Louis Business Woman of the Year. She served on the board of Arsenal Credit Union.

Ellie knew every nook and cranny of the city of St. Louis. She spoke fluent Hungarian and German. She loved cooking, gardening and the arts and watching football. She attended the St. Louis Symphony until she was 92 and loved the Opera Theatre and Repertory Theatre. Ellie was a proud member with Jack of the St. Louis BMW Club and the Sociedad. 

The funeral will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the St. Louis Symphony or the Sigma Alpha Mu Foundation.