Carolan Frances Mendel

Carolan Frances Mendel of Houston passed away, peacefully, with her family at her bedside on Sept. 2, 2017 at the beautiful age of 72. Carolan was born in Pryor, Okla. to loving parents Thomas and Dorothy Harrison. She grew up in Tulsa, Okla. until going to undergraduate school at DePauw University in Indiana. At DePauw she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. After graduation she attended and received a master’s degree of fine Arts at Indiana University where she was also a graduate teacher assistant. Additionally, she attended the University of Madrid in Spain for a year. She had a scholarship in Music, and played the piano; but her real love was teaching Spanish. After graduation she was employed by the United States Defense Intelligence Agency in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. There, she worked in the American Embassy as a linguist before returning to the U.S. to marry the love of her life Don Mendel, who was in the Army Security Agency. They were married for 47 years. Carolan enjoyed teaching advance level Spanish for 25 years in Houston before retiring to the wonderful town of Fayetteville. Carolan and Don were welcomed by a community that enriched their already amazing lives. She was a member of The Fayetteville Lions Club, the lunch around Fayetteville Group, the Women’s Coffee club and the La Grange Bridge club where she had a little less than 3,000 masters’ points. Carolan loved her life in Fayetteville, and La Grange and all of her friends that cared so deeply for her. Carolan had a passion for knitting, traveling and exploring new cultures and cuisine. The family summer vacations to Colorado and Michigan were some of her fondest memories; later in life enjoying the comfort and luxury of taking exotic cruises with Don. She took great pride and value in family and friends in her life, as well as those around her. She will be sorely missed by all the hearts she touched throughout her journey of life. She is survived by husband Don Mendel, sons Jason Mendel, Adam Mendel, daughter-in-law Angie Mendel, grandson Trenton Mendel, her sister Cathy Stilwill, brother-in-law Dr. Richard Stilwill, nephews Blake, Chris, and Benjamin Stilwill. She is also survived by Don’s sister Cecile Wheeler and brother-in-law, Dr. Lewis Wheeler. A memorial service is planned for Sept. 16, 2017 at Las Brisas in Fayetteville. Call for details (www.lasbrisasfarm.com). In lieu of Flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity.