Rachel Spera Mangano

Dear Gracia,
I was so very sorry to learn of your mother's passing. I send my deepest sympathy to you and your family. May memories bring you comfort.
Sincerely,
Melissa Lovett Moyer

DEAR MANGANO FAMILY.

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER.
SHE WAS TRULY A LOVING WOMAN AND A DEVOTED CHILD OF GOD.
SHE WILL BE MISSED HERE ON EARTH, BUT IS NOW IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.

LOVE, PAMELA AND DAVID SACCO,

Philip,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, but so glad that had the gift of spending such cherished time with your Mom over this past year. She sounded like an amazing woman and I suspect you have a lot of her in you. I lost my own mother just a few weeks ago and can relate to your loss. Take care. Emily Rothschild

Dean Mangano Family,

My condolences and sympathy to you. She sounds like a remarkable woman.

Peace, Ed Cameron

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. -Leo Buscaglia

Dear Philip and the entire Mangano Family:

The quote above is an expression of the gift to humanity by Mrs. Rachel Spera Mangano. I know for certain that the great deeds throughout this country by you, Philip, are the imprints from your mother.

My Deepest Sympathy,

Antoinette Triplett
City of St. Louis
Homeless Services Division

I know of Rachel Mangano by observing her son Philip. The Manganos should be content with their impact on the rest of us earthly creatures. They have given so much more than they have received, and we are all better as a consequence.

Dear Philip and family. I was very saddened to hear about your Mother's recent death. She sounds like a truly wonderful person who gave much to her loved ones and community. My condolences. Judy Hopwood MP...NSW Member for Hornsby NSW Parliament

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your dear mother. I hope this reflection by is as comforting to you and your family as it is for me.
Joan Burke, Loaves & Fishes

Death is nothing at all
by Henry Scott Holland, Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away
into the next room.
I am I,
and you are you;
whatever we were to each other,
that, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name,
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used,
put no difference in your tone,
wear no forced air
of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we shared together.
Let my name ever be
the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all
that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.

Mr. Mangano,

May the peace which comes from the memories of your mother, comfort you now and in the days ahead.

And may the comfort of God help you during this difficult time.

Blessings,

Cynthia Miller

Dear Philip,

I am so sorry to hear about your mother…but happy to know that she has joined your father. There will be laughter and tears in heaven as they catch-up on the last 41 years.
I feel like I knew your mother from the many stories that you shared when you were in St. Louis. I wish I had the opportunity to meet her – she was an amazing woman of faith and strength. After reading this incredible tribute to her I know why you are such an inspiring man to all of us fighting to end homelessness.

May God bless you and your family.

Fondly,

Jan Rasmussen
St. Patrick Center

Philip: Life is all about "no regrets". Always take comfort in the care, love, respect and devotion you gave to your mother with such great determination. May you always be comforted with God's "Amazing Grace".

Love,
Joanne Sheperd

I remember many a Thursday night dinner with Philip at his mother's house. I always left with a full stomach, leftovers in my hand, love in my heart, and laughter in my ears. I and the world needs and will miss your presence.

Philip, I am so sorry for your loss. Your devotion to your precious mother was an inspiration to me. My sympathies to you and all your family. Blessings to you all --

Dear Joseph, Philip and Gracia,

I have been fortunate to feel like a member of your family for many years. Your mother's love, determintation, sense of humor, faith, talents in the kitchen, window dressing abilities and care for those less fortunate will be missed by all who knew her.

May the harmony you felt as a family around the kitchen table the last night of her earthly life be held close in your hearts throughout the years ahead.

Trusting your parents are resting in God's grace.

Much Love,

Kathy

Phillip,

So sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I know how hard it is to let a loved one go...no matter how prepared you think you are. I have no doubt your dedicated caregiving and that of your siblings contributed to your mom's long and rich life. So get some rest and celebrate what clearly was a very special life.

Fred Karnas

Philip, may you and your family find comfort in the sure knowledge of your mother's love for you.

Peace.

My condolenses to the Mangano family. I was very blessed to have known Rachel as she worked with my Mother in Belmont for years. She gave me many words of wisdom throughout those years. A remarkable person. Thank you and God Bless you Rachel.

I only knew of Ms. Mangano through Philip. I was moved by Philips' love and caring for her and his passion for her well being over the last few years. I did not know her but think she must be very lucky to share such a wonderful bond with her son. I hope as I age, I have the same with my children.

With deepest sympathies

Dear Philip and the Mangano Family,

Please accept my condolences on your mother's passing. Your email is a sweet tribute to a woman beloved by her family, and who led an exemplary life.

Phillip.... Deepest sympathy to you and your entire family. We only met once when you came here to Western Australia, but your knowledge and caring heart left me with much to remember.

God Bless

Denise Mangano
Perth Western Australia

The Promised Land

Though you cannot see me
I am not too far away
For I remain within your heart
Each and every day

I have not really left you
I can be there by your side
For love knows no boundaries
When you keep faith as your guide

When you think about me, my child
Or you need to feel me there
Just open up your heart once more
And feel my presence in the air

Please do not mourn for me
Though your heart may ache so
It was my time to leave this world
Eventually we all must just let go

Let go of what held us here
Upon this wondrous earthly plane
Believing that for sure one day
We will all meet up again

Death is not just an ending
It’s also the beginning of something new
A part of the journey that is meant to be
Something we all must one day go through

I know that you will miss me dear
But it was my time to take this journey home
Though I know that this is hard for you
I want you to know that I did not go alone

For the love from you all went with me
As the angels took me by the hand
I knew that I was safe with them
As they took me home to The Promised Land


The Promised Land © Denise Mangano

Jeff Singer and the clients, staff, and Board of Health Care for the Homeless of Maryland send our sincere condolences upon your very great loss.

It sounds to me that Rachel Mangano's life might have been thought to have been full of prayer for those less fortunate and those in need of our help. Truly, Rachel Mangano's life was actually the prayer itself. She lived a life of true value, one that touched the most in need and the most vulnerable not just in her community, but through her family the world.

To this prayer I say: "Thank You God. Thank you for sending Rachel to us. There is no doubt that she will be welcome home, the place she brought so many others to. Amen."

I am truly sorry for the Mangano family loss, but the inspiration lives beyond.

Deepest condolences to you and your family.

May your memories be a comfort to you and your family . . . sorrow does not last forever, but memories do . . . so does love.
Our deepest sympathies,
Mike and Judy Beatty

Dear Mr. Mangano:

Your Mother's and Father's greatest gifts to our world are the loving children they brought to us all.
Thank you for keeping their love alive.

Jerry Sweeney

Dear Mr. Mangano:

I am so saddened to learn of the death of your mother, Mrs. Rachel Spera Mangano. Please accept my sincere sympathy at this difficult time.

She had a full life, and her work here on earth is done. May she rest in peace.

Please take consolation in the fact that her generosity and kind spirit will continue to live through you, and your tireless efforts to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable people among us - the homeless.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of your family.

With Deepest Sympathy

May the happy memories of your dear mother keep you strong in this time of loss.

I experienced Rachel's grace and open-heartedness directly at the end of her life, but more often indirectly through friendship with her son Philip. His love and care for her were evidence to me that he was repaying her love and care for him and his siblings.

In the deep of winter, in the comfort of your vibrant and beautiful home, made with your very own hand, surrounded by those you loved, you left us. May we who have known you Rachel, live a life worthy of your love, devotion and commitment. May we never forget all that you have given us. The brightness of your life and your deepest care remain with us Joe, Gracia and Philip. May they and theirs carry your great love and faith forward to a world still in need of you.

A wonderful woman-loved her children,cared for the less fortunate,generous and adored her grandchildren.

A full life, lived well. I am filled with wonderful memories of Rachel, many of which include conversations over a good Italian home meal that she so often shared. May you all be comforted by happy memories as you celebrate her life, well lived.
I offer my deepest sympathies to you all.

To the Magano Family:

Please accept our deepest sympathies. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Walter and Michael Sullivan