Michele “Mickey” Sandmel (née Leon), March 22, 2023

Beloved wife of Sheldon Sandmel; dear mother of Ben Sandmel, Karin Sandmel and Josh Sandmel; daughter of the late Sam and Dorothy Leon; dear sister and sister-in-law of Vicki (Rick) Butery, Barbara (late Harold) Sandmel and the late Zelda (late Herb) Glazer; loving aunt, cousin and friend of many.

Mickey was a passionate mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was an organizer and loved bringing her friends and family together. Whether birthdays, holidays, picnics, reunions, or other celebrations, Mickey volunteered, got involved, and often coordinated or chaired many of the events including several of the reunions for U-City Class of 1964. She loved her family and dedicated herself to her three children and husband of 55 years. She regularly served as a room mother, on PTO Boards and as President of the PTO.

Along with those dearest to her, Mickey also found love in education, both while helping others and for herself. She committed herself to achieving a Bachelor of Science degree and took great pride in accomplishing this with a degree from UMSL after several years of night school. She devoted more than 20 years volunteering in English as a Second Language classes teaching others, all the while learning about other cultures, traditions, and histories from across the globe. With her family, she hosted several international exchange students and delighted in showing off St. Louis and learning about their customs. Mickey and her husband also loved to travel and would do so for art exhibits, museum visits, or national parks around the US.

Mickey loved several other hobbies and expanded her learning through the arts. She was an avid reader and attended numerous author events, creating an impressive library, especially of autographed books. She loved making needlepoint pillows and canvases, devoured magazines and loved the challenge of a good puzzle book. She was also a long-time season ticket holder for the Fox Theatre, the Muny and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and loved watching musicals and listening to the showtunes regularly.

When she was away from her family and other passions, she spent nearly 50 years as a legal secretary.

Funeral Service Sunday, March 26, 12 PM at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road.

Memorial contributions preferred to Forest Park Forever, the St. Louis County Library Foundation, The Humane Society of St. Louis or the charity of your choice. Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com for more information.

BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE