Obituary of Marilyn S. Mandler

Marilyn Dee Simmons Mandler, 90, of Lambertville, NJ, died peacefully on May 9, 2026, surrounded by family. She lived most of her life in Rydal and Huntingdon Valley, PA.

Marilyn was born in the sleepy town of pre-Disney Orlando, Florida, on May 20, 1935, to Jane (née Pollock) and Elmer Simmons. She had an idyllic childhood, eating oranges straight from the trees, walking to school around Lake Eola, and swimming with baby alligators at Rock Springs. She learned to tap dance from Buddy Ebsen, who later found fame on The Beverly Hillbillies. She was a devoted "second mother" to her beloved much younger sister, Judi.

Inspired by her mother’s nursing career, Marilyn attended the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing on a full scholarship, graduating in 1956. While at Hopkins, she met her future husband, medical student John (Jack) Mandler, when they were both training in the delivery room. After working as a nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital and in Tacoma, Washington, she paused her career to raise her children before returning to work as both a nurse and the office manager for her husband’s medical practice.

Marilyn was an outstanding mother to her three children. She served as a den mother for the Cub Scouts and was known for planning elaborate, themed (DIY) birthday celebrations. She stayed up late hand-crafting intricate Halloween costumes, including a memorable "Jolly Green Giant" with real rhododendron leaves stitched head to toe. She tolerated, if not encouraged, a menagerie of pets, both furry and scaly, and cheered at countless Little League games, wrestling matches, and lacrosse games. Her kitchen counter always held a Tupperware container of freshly baked treats for her children and their friends. On especially lucky days, there were her delicious lemon squares.

Her commitment to her community was extensive. She served on the Jefferson Abington Hospital Women’s Board for many years, notably as the co-chair and chair of the June Fete Village Fair in 1976 and 1977. Following her father’s death, she organized a day-long symposium at Jefferson Abington Hospital titled "Death: A Fact of Life," which brought together medical, religious, and hospice experts to discuss end-of-life care and accepting death.

A dedicated member of Gloria Dei Church since the mid-1960s, Marilyn taught Sunday School and then sang in the choir for decades until 2020. Her strong, lifelong faith was rooted in service to others. Through the church, she joined teams building Habitat for Humanity homes in York, PA, and New Orleans, LA, following Hurricane Katrina. She also welcomed many international students into her home over the years.

She was an avid supporter of Johns Hopkins University, serving on the Alumni Council Advisory Board in the 2000s and hosting annual send-off parties for local freshmen and their families. In 2003, she founded the John I. Mandler, M.D., and Marilyn S. Mandler, R.N., Scholarship for Medical Education, and she took great joy in meeting each year’s recipient.

Marilyn truly cherished her circle of friends. She looked forward to her monthly book club, "Lunch Bunch," and Questers meetings, as well as frequent outings to films, theater performances, and concerts. She had a passion for correct grammar - never shy about correcting the usage of "lie," "lay," and "laid" - and a deep love for all things Italian.

She helped organize a group tour to Italy in the 90's to take in performances at the major opera houses. She visited the Holy Land, saw the Passion Play in Oberammergau, toured France, Ireland, and England (the train from London to Bath was a favorite experience),and cruised the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. She was always scouting out her next adventure.

Above all, Marilyn will be remembered for her remarkably positive outlook, her unfailing ability to see the best in others, and her curiosity about the world. She truly loved being alive and lived by Michelangelo’s quote, "I’m still learning." She often expressed a desire to live to 100, provided she could remain "useful to other people."

She is survived by her three children, John (Maria) Mandler, Jill (Dennis) Mandler, and James Mandler, and her niece, Kristen (Sylvia) McCall. She was preceded in death by her sister, Judith McCall, and her beloved husband of 45 years, John I. Mandler, M.D.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Thursday, June 18, at Gloria Dei Church, 570 Welsh Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA, where friends will be received from 10:30 am until the time of the service. A reception will follow the service at Huntingdon Valley Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to Doctors Without Borders  https://give.doctorswithoutborders.org/campaign/727211/donate

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to all the people who helped care for Marilyn in her later years, including her dear friend Jaye McMaster, Celeste Rook, Dr. Christine Pluta, Compassionate Care Hospice, and the dedicated team at The Lambertville Estate.