Carmela Mandala went home to be with the Lord and her beloved husband Ben on January 3, 2024. She was born of Sicilian Italian immigrants, Carmelo & Maria Cascone of Coney Island, NY on October 6, 1937. She was the youngest of five children. Growing up, she loved traveling with her parents, dancing, swimming, singing and she excelled in school and sports. She met the love of her life Ben Mandala at the age of 11 years old in the 7th grade at Farmingdale Jr High. They attended junior prom together and were soon engaged. On December 11, 1955 at the age of 19 they were married. After their honeymoon in Miami Beach they jetted off to Luxembourg. This is where their life of adventure began together. They were married for 62 years. Ben passed away on January 11, 2017.
Carmela had many talents and hobbies. Besides being a homemaker, mother, and grandmother. She was a painter and published author writing a few short stories and poems. She was active in the local theater in Florida and The Burnsville Parkway Playhouse. She was best known for her Italian cooking. She and Ben owned several bakeries, and a restaurant pizzeria called “Carmela’s Pizza You Like” in Hollywood, Florida. She was a certified yoga instructor, licensed in electrolysis and helped Ben run the Yancey Theatre for over 40 years. She was a devout Catholic and loved the Lord. She was a member of The Basilica of St Lawrence in Asheville and The Sacred Heart Church in Burnsville where she was a member of the choir. She and Ben loved to travel together with their family.
Left to cherish her memories are her daughters Lisa Bollinger of Oak Ridge, TN, Maria Simmons of Port Charlotte, Fl, Benita Mandala of Burnsville, and son Joey Mandala of Kings Bay, GA. She has eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A time to support the Mandala family, share memories and receive friends will be from 4 until 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 11th at Yancey Funeral Services. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at The Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Asheville, NC. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain.
If you would like to make a donation in Carmela’s name you can do so by making a donation to the Catholic assisted living home where she spent the past 5 months surrounded by love and care. Carter May Home 1660 Ingram Rd Charleston, SC 29407.
To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
