Phyllis Ann Daroca Mandal

It is with great sorrow that the Renaissance woman, Phyllis Ann Daroca Mandal, died on Monday, June 1, 2026, in the comfort of her home. She was with family and her beloved cat, Jackson, who was lying on her lap. She was a native of New Orleans and a resident of Metairie for the past 56 years. “Phyl” was a graduate of Francis T. Nicholls and Loyola University. She was an educator who loved teaching middle and high school students for 48 years. Phyl taught at Nineth Ward Elementary, T. H. Harris Middle School, Mount Carmel High School, and Bonnabel High School. She was known to be the favorite teacher among students and was referred to as the “Mama Bear.” She taught English, Leadership, Videography and was the Advisor for the Student Council and Yearbook at Bonnabel. Several years she was given the Teacher of the Year and also the Student Council Advisor of the Year. Years later students would tell her that she was a role model who impacted their lives, showed them compassion, and taught them the love of learning. After she became a grandmother, she retired from teaching. But she was not a stay at home kind of lady, she quickly got a job working security at the Louisiana Superdome. She loved working the press box security for Saints and Pelican games and meeting famous entertainers while working concerts. Working at the Superdome for 9 years, she met friends that she called her ‘Dome Buddies’ who she talked or texted with daily until she died. She also worked as a wedding coordinator for a cruise line. Phyl was passionate about her country and was an active member of the Alliance for Good Government. She was the beloved wife for 14 years of the late Richard James Mandal. She was preceded in death by her mother (Juanita Lewis Daroca), father (Gabriel F. Daroca Jr.) and sister (Laurie D. Maher). Mother of her only child Dr. Rebecca Lynn Mandal-Blasio (Dirk). She was sister to Juanita D. Joseph (Eli) and Dr. Gabriel F. Daroca, III (Terry). Also she is survived by her two grandchildren Sophia Rose and Amelia Ann, who were her heart and soul and referred to her as Gigi, later shortened to “G.” She traveled the Causeway Bridge daily to pick them up after school to have beignets and to watch them perform in plays or play basketball. While traveling across the Bridge, she would talk to friends and family to get the scope of the day. She was the lover of fun and frivolity with French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest being her favorite. She loved wearing a good costume and would dress up every Mardi Gras with her green wig. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass in the Chapel of L. A. Muhleisen & Son Funeral Home, 2607 Williams Blvd in Kenner, LA. on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m. Phyllis requested that visitors wear festive shirts, aka Jazz Fest, to the ceremony. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

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Phyllis Ann Daroca Mandal

July 6, 1942 - June 1, 2026