Edith Block Mantell

Edith Block Mantell passed away peacefully at her home in Rye, New York on December 3, 2010. She was 92. Born Edith A. Block in 1918 in New York City, she was the beloved daughter of the late Martha Schey Block and John Block, founding partner of Kirby, Block & Fisher. Mrs. Mantell grew up and attended public schools in New Rochelle, graduating from Mount Holyoke College. In 1942, she married N. Bruce Mantell, an attorney and commercial realtor in Westchester. Mr. and Mrs. Mantell made their home in White Plains, where they raised two cherished daughters Dale and Susie. Respected throughout her life for her astute mind, abiding integrity, and clever wit, Mrs. Mantell was a gifted artist, and enjoyed unconventional travels that included Africa, Borneo and China. In the 1950's Mrs. Mantell co-established the first library in the White Plains Public Schools. She volunteered at The White Plains Public Library and served on various boards and committees, well into her eighties. Mrs. Mantell was predeceased by her loving husband Bruce in 1968, beloved siblings Hazel B. Morrison of Wilmington, DE and L. Robert Block of Hilton Head, SC, and by her cherished daughter, Dale Friedman of Danbury CT whose widower Kenneth Friedman-Fitch resides in Nebraska. Mrs. Mantell is survived by her beloved and devoted daughter, Susie Mantell of Westchester, and nieces and nephews Gail Morrison, J. Burke Morrison, his wife Kerrie, their children Max and Molly, Eric Morrison and his wife Shelley, all of Wilmington, DE; and Judy Block of NYC. The family requests that donations in her memory be made to The Alzheimers Association or Lighthouse International.