Janice B. Mandel

With profound sadness, tempered with the joy of a wonderful life so well-lived, the family of Janice Brenda Pinski Mandel of Millcreek Township announces her passing on January 9, 2026 at Manchester Commons.

Janice was born on May 12, 1939, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Isador and Rose Gawiser Pinski. She was raised during her early years in Cleveland, graduating from Cleveland Heights High School, and later attended Ohio State University in Columbus.

A frequent visitor to her extended family in Erie, she was introduced to her future husband, Leon Mandel, by her unofficial “Yenta” aunt, Bess Pinski Stone and before long Janice and Lee were married and began their half-century loving and meaningful life together in Erie, where Jan began active involvement in the Jewish Community, first at Congregation Brith Sholom, and then at Temple Anshe Hesed.

Along the way, Jan and Lee became loving parents to two daughters and a son, and doting grandparents of six. As they raised their family, Janice's love for her faith and education, and her knack for organizational leadership manifested themselves during her many years as principal of the Erie Jewish Community and Temple Anshe Hesed Religious and Hebrew Schools. During her decades-long tenure, she was not only responsible for the religious education of hundreds of students but also supported their travels to Israel and their enrollment in various nationally recognized faith-based summer camps. As educational leader, she organized and coordinated innovative programs for students and families, such as inter-generational Seders and many life-cycles events.

She also became an acknowledged leader of the Jewish Community Council of Erie, serving for many years in various roles, and most recently as its long-term vice president. During this period, Jan also held a number of leadership positions at Brith Sholom, including co-president of Sisterhood, and at Anshe Hesed, where she was vice president of Education, vice chair of the Caring Committee and served on the Membership, Governance, Cemetery, Kuperman and Ostrow Committees, as well as on Anshe Hesed's Board of Directors. She further represented Anshe Hesed and participated in several Jewish organizations' national conferences.

An avid life-long learner and reader, she also enjoyed and excelled at competitive Mahjong, and was a life-long supporter of the arts, including the Erie Playhouse and other local cultural interests.

Despite her myriad religious and community involvement activities, as the family's matriarch her focus was centered on her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family, including aunts, uncles and cousins in Erie, Cleveland California.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Mandel; her son, David Mandel; her great-granddaughter, Talia Feldman; and by her brother, Alan Pinski.

Janice is survived by her daughters, Julie Feldman of Florida, Debra Wisniewski (John) of Erie; her grandchildren, Nicholas (Megan), Joseph (Kaitlyn), Michael (Lindsey) and Chad (Dinushi) all of Pittsburgh and Tyler and Andrew, both of Erie; by five great-grandchildren, Lee, Mason, Jack, Owen, and Ava; and by many members of her extended family and friends in Erie and Cleveland.

Family and friends may call at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc., West Ridge, 3801 W. 26th St., Erie on Monday, January 12th from 10:00 am until the time of service there at 11:00 am with Rabbi Rob Morais, spiritual leader of Temple Anshe Hesed, officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Anshe Hesed Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Temple Anshe Hesed Gesher Education Fund, 5401 Old Zuck Rd., Erie, PA 16506.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com