Lessel Elizabeth (Hans) Mansour's Obituary
Lessel Elizabeth (Hans) Mansour, longtime resident of Berkeley, CA, passed peacefully on October 28,
2024.
Born in Salt Lake City, UT, on August 4, 1940, to Wendel and Marjorie Hans, Lessel was raised in the
Barron Park neighborhood of Palo Alto. From her humble beginnings and keen eye for sophisticated
fashion and design, she learned how to sew her own attire from her mother. The eldest of three
siblings, Lessel shared in her father’s passion for art, creating watercolors such as ‘Cypress Trees’
(Carmel-by-the-Sea, 1954), and later, drafting alongside him at Ampex Corporation.
After graduating from Cubberley High School, Lessel went on to attend UC Santa Barbara and Cal
Berkeley, earning her Bachelor of Arts. Her vast scope of artwork spanned watercolor, sketching,
printmaking, and sculpture. Lessel’s love of design flourished as a member of the Berkeley Architectural
Heritage Association (BAHA).
A professor of Art at Wellesley College, draftsman at Lawrence Livermore Lab, Berkeley Nucleonics, and
Clear Com, Lessel rounded out her career at Dolby, designing printed circuit boards.
Lessel’s two sons, Tarik and Tamir, meant the world to her. Their family home was always open to their
friends and family; she spent countless days cheering on her boys at sporting events throughout their
childhood.
A close family friend (one of the ‘lacrosse boys’) upon hearing of Lessel’s passing retold a story. “She
was always a straight-shooter; she never minced words. Every time I grow out my beard, it reminds me
of what Lessel said when she saw me with a beard. She didn’t recognize me at first. A friend asked if
she liked the beard on me. She said ‘sure if he wants to look like an old man, it looks good.’” Lessel had a
smart wit about her, an attention to detail, and an unmistakable beauty.
Lessel is survived by her beloved sons, Tarik Mansour and Tamir Mansour, daughter-in-law, Kate (Tarik),
grandson, Thaddeus, three younger siblings, a large extended family, and many loving friends.
The family will have a private graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland on Friday,
November 15th at 1:30 p.m.
What’s your fondest memory of Lessel?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lessel?
Share a story where Lessel's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lessel you’ll never forget.
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