Norma Haft Mandel

Norma Haft Mandel

My candle burns at both ends

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -

It gives a lovely light.

First Fig, by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Norma Haft Mandel -- a fiercely independent educator, activist, author, feminist, reader, cook, baker, traveler, critic, volunteer, and democrat -- ended her impactful journey through this world on August 23, 2025, at the age of 91. Norma lived her life being uncompromising in her values and standards, and lived and died on her own terms. Norma was fortunate to have inherited a legacy of moral clarity and ethical behavior from her parents, Hannah and William Haft, and bequeathed that legacy to her children, their spouses, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchild.

Born on April 22, 1934, Norma grew up in Highland Falls, NY, and lived most of her life in Rockland County, NY after marrying her college sweetheart, Myron Mandel, in 1953 -- a wonderful marriage that lasted more than 55 years until Myron's death from Lewy Body Disease in 2009. Norma was a proud and active alumna of Wellesley and Barnard colleges (B.A.), Fordham University (MSE), and City University of New York (M.A. & PhD). Norma enjoyed a decades-long career as a reading teacher in both Westchester and Rockland counties and stayed in touch with many of her colleagues. A lifelong student and educator, her first book, Beyond the Garden Gate: The Life of Celia Leighton Thaxter, was published in 2004.

Norma's volunteerism and social activism included being one of the founders of the Finkelstein Memorial Library in Spring Valley, NY, as well as being an active member of the Rockland County Conference on Religion and Race, Fair Housing Council, NAACP, ACLU, and League of Women Voters, to name only a few.

Norma is survived by her children, Francie, Michael, Josh, and Nina, daughters-in-law Sandy and Monica, grandchildren, Claire, Julie, Hannah, Tim, Glenn, and Ben, and great-granddaughter, Ruthie, each of whom will miss her terribly.

Funeral services for Norma will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at the WF Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main St., Highland Falls, NY, followed by her burial at Peacedale Cemetery, also in Highland Falls.

In lieu of flowers, those inclined can honor her with a donation to the ACLU, League of Women Voters, or social justice organization of your choosing.