Dona Mandell
A longtime advocate of Denver Jewish community causes, Dona Jean Mandell passed away on August 17, 2022, at the age of 85. A service was held August 18 at Rose Hill Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Yossi Serebryanski, Rabbi Henoch Dov Hoffman and Rabbi Raphael Leban. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
A native of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Mandell (nee Masters) attended the University of Chicago, where she met Michael Mandell. They moved to Denver in 1957 and were married in June, 1958.
Mrs. Mandell had a number of vocations: a legal secretary, real estate agent and artist. She was active at BMH-BJ and Hadassah, was on the Synagogue Council for several years, and was on the board of Kohelet.
Among her hobbies was collecting dollhouse miniatures and dolls.
“She was devoted to family and friends,” the family said.
“My mother was known by many people as the ‘short busy woman,’” said Chava Riemer, Mrs. Mandell’s daughter. “There was always something to do, somewhere to be, someone to talk to or an event to plan or attend.
“Even when obstacles arose, she worked through them or found solutions, often simply because she didn’t know how to quit.”
Survivors include husband Michael; daughter Chava (Eric) Riemer; and one grandson, Zeke. She was predeceased by daughter Leah Mandell.
Contributions can be made to Jewish Family Services Emergency Fund or Yeshiva Toras Chaim.
Mair Heller
Denver native and member of New York City’s theatrical community Mair Heller passed away on August 15, 2022, at the age of 43. A service was held August 16 at Rose Hill Cemetery, officiated by Dr. Daniel Rapp. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Mr. Heller grew up in Denver, attending Hillel Academy and RMHA. As an aspiring actor, he was involved in productions at the JCC in Denver. He later moved east to attend Boston University and later relocated to New York.
There, Mr. Heller became a part of the theatre scene and had a variety of positions at theatres and with various productions. He was undaunted by the difficult process of landing stage roles.
“He knew everyone there,” said his father, Dovey Heller. “He had a lot more to give.
“He was a beautiful child,” Dovey continued. “Wherever he went, he made friends with everyone. He never knew a stranger.
“He was a good kid.”
Survivors are his parents Dovey and Fran Heller; siblings Rabbi Avi (Shira) Heller and BZ Heller; and nieces and nephews.
Contributions may be made to March of the Living or Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Paula Hutt
Paula Milmon Hutt passed away on July 8, 2022. She was 88. A service was held July 10 at BMH-BJ, officiated by Rabbi Yisroel Engel, Rabbi Yisroel Wilhelm and Cantor Martin Goldstein. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Mrs. Hutt, a native of Philadelphia, moved to Denver in 1958 with her then-husband, Paul Friedman. Their family moved to Redwood City, Calif., in 1963, where Paula and Paul divorced before the family returned to Denver in 1966.
As a single mother, Mrs. Hutt worked as a substitute schoolteacher and at Aurora Street Academy, helping wayward kids with addiction problems find jobs.
In 1979, Paula married Jeremy Hutt. They remained a couple until Mrs. Hutt’s passing.
Avid travelers, Mr. and Mrs. Hutt traveled to Israel, Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, Turkey and Russia, among many international destinations.
“She would always pose in front of a famous site on her trips, looking glamorous,” said Mrs. Hutt’s son, Dr. Theodore Friedman.
Mrs. Hutt’s daughter, Deborah Sanders, added: “She was very intelligent, well traveled, and was ahead of her time in many ways, including cooking and eating healthy.
“She was savvy, fashionable and full of life.”
Survivors are husband, Jeremy Hutt; children Dr. Theodore (Danielle) Friedman and Deborah Friedman Sanders, and six grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to BMH-BJ, Chabad of University of Colorado and Chabad of Cherry Creek.
Rita Roth
Lone Tree resident Rita Roth died on August 3, 2022. She was 87. A service was held August 17 at Fort Logan National Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Steve Kaye. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born in New York City in 1935, Mrs. Roth was a lifelong theatre enthusiast, attending Broadway shows in her youth and later, as a resident of Littleton, Highlands Ranch and Denver, regularly attended plays in local theatres.
In 1958, Rita married US Army officer Bernie Roth; they were a couple until Mr. Roth’s passing in 1991.
Starting her career as a social worker, Mrs. Roth also worked at Sears and B. Dalton Booksellers, and did volunteer work with the Douglas County Libraries.
“Her life was filled with travel, theater and love,” her family said.
Survivors include children Andrew (Janet) Roth, Matthew (Julianna) Roth and Elisabeth (Thomas) Meyer; and eight grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to MaxFund.
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