Sandra Mandelblatt

Sandra Mandelblatt of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on September 8th, 2021, in hospice care at the age of 85 after a 10-month battle with lung cancer.  She was the beloved wife of Allen Mandelblatt; devoted mother of David (Jill) and Michael (Janet); loving grandmother of Rachel and Sarah.

Sandra was born and raised in Brooklyn NY and later moved to the DC area when she got married.    Sandra and Allen settled into a home in Kemp Mill Estates (Silver Spring) where they raised a family and lived for almost 60 years before moving in 2019 to Riderwood Senior Living just a few miles away.

Sandra was a graduate of F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York and designed bridal gowns as her first job.  She later extended her creative flair into a hobby of creating unique art using high-end magic markers.  Most of her sketches and drawings are enjoyed today by her granddaughters. 

When her sons finished school, she helped her husband, a pharmacist, run the store they owned, Fairfax Drugs (previously Rodman’s Drugs) in Fairfax, Va. where they were adored by many in the community.

Sandra was an avid D.C. sports fan and loved her Washington Football Team, Nationals, and Capitals.  When Washington had a pro basketball team, they enjoyed season tickets and dined at the Capital Club before the games.

She was a longtime supporter of multiple philanthropic organizations including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, General Israel Orphans Home for Girls, US Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Public Broadcasting.

A favorite pastime was cruising and traveling.  She visited over 30 countries with her soulmate and shared travel and vacation time on and off with close friends and family over the years.  Some of her treasured adventures included seeing the Terracotta Army of China, enjoying the wildlife and foliage of the Amazon River, and riding a camel in Thailand. 

She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially during the major holidays.  She was surrounded and comforted by her immediate loved ones until her time had come to go in peace.

The family wants to extend a gracious thank you to the staff and caregivers at Riderwood, Adventist Hospital and Medical Center in White Oak, and Montgomery County Casey House Hospice Center, for their wonderful support and skilled, compassionate care.

Graveside services will be held privately.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum https://www.ushmm.org/.