MANDL, Lillian (Julie)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, December 17, 2011 Lillian "Julie" Mandl left the bonds of this world to be with the Lord early in the morning of Dec. 15, 2011. Julie was born on Oct. 8, 1912, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and leaves behind an adoring family and a reputation as a very accomplished artist and art educator - one of Arizona's artists working basically from a complete foundation. Julie is listed in "The World Who's Who of Women," is a signature member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild, and a member of the National League of American Pen Women. Julie was educated at the University of Arizona and Universidad San Miguel Allende in Mexico, as well as studying under the guidance of teachers of note including John Law Walker, Charles O. Golden, Andrew Rush, Helen Winslow and Phillip Bellomo. Julie leaves behind her four children, Carol McDonald of Keystone, S.D., Val Ripley of Prescott, Ariz., Susan Keippel of Tucson, Ariz., and Britt Ripley of Boise, Idaho; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. Julie is preceded in death by the love of her life, Robert Ripley, to whom she was married for 15 years before his death in 1959. She later married Bernhard Mandl, a longtime family friend, in 1963, and he took Julie and her children in under his protective love and made this family whole again. Bernie passed away in 1995 from a long illness, with Julie by his side the whole time. Those who were lucky enough to know Julie during her stay on this planet knew a woman who loved life, cherished friends, was loyal to family and friends to a fault, and was known for her charity and patience toward those seeking her counsel. One would be hard-pressed to recall an unkind word spoken or criticism rendered by this loving woman. Her family knew of her love for them as individuals without doubt, and that love was reinforced all the time while being around her. The family will be conducting a private memorial service in Prescott honoring a life well lived. Internment will be at Southlawn Memorial Park in Tucson, where Julie will be placed in between her beloved Robert and Bernhard ... did we mention that Julie also had a great sense of humor! The family wishes to thank Granite Gate Senior Living for their love and kindness over the last several years while Julie resided there and especially for their professionalism over these difficult past few weeks. Please visit www.heritagefuneralchapels.com to sign Julie's online guestbook. Services entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary. Information provided by survivors.