Cecille Mankin Price
Price: Cecille Mankin died peacefully on 3/5/2020 at the home of her grand-daughter, Samantha and her wife Joanna in Barrington, Rhode Island. She was 96. Cecille was a 50-year resident of Pittsburgh from the age of 20. She was originally from Fort Worth, Texas where she met Milton Mankin at a USO dance during World War II. A fairy-tale romance and marriage to Milton led to her move to Pittsburgh. It was a remarkable change for her but before long she was adored by new friends of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Everybody knew and loved “Cele.” Her dimpled smile and sunny disposition were her ticket. Her caring drew people in and made them want to stay. When Milton Mankin died in 1970, Cele saved the Mankin family business, Specialty Clothing Company, a men’s clothing store, known to virtually all Pittsburghers.
In 1977, Cecille married William Price and moved to Squirrel Hill with her son, Ricky. Cecille was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels when she wasn’t working or caring for Milton’s mother, Mary Mankin.
Cecille’s Jewish life over the years included memberships in B’nai Israel where her sons were Bar Mitzvah as well Beth Shalom when she married William Price.
Following the death of Will Price, Cecille moved back to Dallas where she lived independently with help from her sister Jessonda Fox and brother, Louis Gilbert. She survived many bouts of illness throughout her life, always with optimism.
Cecille is survived by her daughter Judith Mankin Berkman of New York City and her son Richard Mankin of Medway, Massachusetts. Her son Robert and daughter-in-law Danielle of Paris, France predeceased her. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Mindy Gallagher, Michael Berkman, Max Mankin, Samantha Mankin, and Emile Mankin, as well as 6 great-grandchildren, all of whom she had the privilege of spending time with and in the case of William really knowing, if not remembering, as dementia took its toll. She is also survived by her brother, Louis Gilbert of Dallas, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Donations would be gratefully appreciated by The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
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