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Patricia “Pat” Mandese
12/30/2022
Picture it…DeLand Florida December 30th, 2022, Patricia “Pat” Mandese was called home to rest In Peace with Lord on the same day as Barbara Walters and then a few hours later Pope Benedict !! I bet you can’t guess which one made it the pearly gates first. Well, I’ll tell you. It was my mom!!! Elbows out all 4 feet 11 of her yelling for her Husband Tony and all her Family members who came before her “I’m home…Saint Peter open the gates or I’m busting through!!!” That was the end of my mother’s life however, why don’t we don’t start at the beginning shall we? Mom was born in Fort Dix New Jersey on November 5th , 1944 to the most loving mother Lillian Pettingill she was the oldest of her five siblings. Her father George was in the military and they moved several times around the world including Germany and Texas before landing in DeLand where she met her husband Anthony “Tony” Mandese who proceeded her in death in 2004. She lived Downtown DeLand on Adelle Ave and was a devout member of St. Peter Catholic Church. She loved volunteering each year at the Oktoberfest in the Country store(although I think she may have purchased more than she sold). She had several jobs including being a bank teller at Barnett Bank Downtown DeLand, Thermaline, Special T’s, and Finally retiring from the State of State of Florida health Department but her best job was the fact that she raised and leaves behind three wonderful children Louis Mandese, Tony Mandese, and Angela Mandese. A beautiful daughter in law Shannon Mandese. Four amazing grandchildren Anthony and Shea (sons of Louis), Symia (daughter of Tony), and Cooper (son of Angela). She was also expecting her first great granddaughter in January from grandchild Anthony. Mom graduated from DeLand High school in 1964 and adored her classmates. Mom, above all else, loved her family and will be greatly missed. Her children of course will greatly miss her, her laughter could light up a room and once she started there was no stopping it. She would laugh until she could breathe, and tears would roll down her face. She made the best German potato salad, three bean salad, and peas and Macaroni anyone has ever had. She loved white Christmas lights, baby’s breath flowers and she always had bunches of dried eucalyptus in the home. Mom taught us that above all else to have faith in the lord he will never forsake you, when the going gets rough the Lord will carry you through those times. She taught us to believe in ourselves and be responsible (all of us had jobs at young age). She told us to love and forgive because that’s what our Catholic faith was founded upon. Her faith in God and love for us is what will continue to stay on this earth forever be remembered. We love you Mom, say hi to Dad.
Services will hold Friday January 13th at St. Peter Catholic Church in DeLand at 10:00am please join our family in celebrating a Mass.
Godspeed…Mom