MARY E. McMANAMON (nee McIntyre), age 71, beloved wife of 49 years to Timothy J.; loving mother of Leslie Ellyn Massey and T. Scott (Kathleen); proud grandmother of Madeline, Andrew, Jack and Maeve; daughter of the late Mary E. (nee Bruce) and Ray McIntyre; sister of Ann McIntyre (R. Parker Fillion) and Ray D. McIntyre; much loved sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend of many.  Passed away October 19, 2022 in Hilton Head, SC.  All Services Tuesday, October 25, at the Old Stone Church (91 Public Square, Cleveland) at 10 A.M.  Interment Lakewood Park Cemetery.  Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of CLEVELAND, 4420 ROCKY RIVER DR. AT PURITAS, MONDAY 4-8 P.M.

October 22, 2022

To my loving, caring and beautiful wife Mary,

You are gone from us and our hearts are broken. I find it hard to believe that myself, Leslie, Scott, Katy, and our grandchildren will ever be the same without you. You were the one that always made us happy and joyful. You will be sadly missed by your family, by your many friends and for those who have not yet experienced your beautiful smile and the twinkle in your beautiful blue eyes.

For the first time I saw you as an incoming freshman at Hiram College in 1969, I knew you were the one. You were a freshman and I was a junior. I was lucky to find you early on and I never looked at anyone else. We spent two fun filled years on campus together before I graduated and fortunately had my first job nearby in Cleveland. For two more years we were back and forth every weekend with each other. We also had some fun weekends away with friends. Four consecutive Kentucky Derby's had to be the most memorable. The first one sleeping in a pup tent, God knows where in Louisville and, of course, the motorhome trips to Louisville with several friends. But just being on campus and later living close by to see you on a weekly basis bonded us forever. We were inseparable.

It was the beginning of our beautiful life together. Forty-nine years of marriage, April 2023 would have been 50 years, two beautiful children; Scott and Leslie, daughter-in-law Katy, along with four wonderful grandchildren, Madeline, Jack, Andrew, and Maeve.

Aside from your loving and caring nature, I and many others will remember you for many things. Of course, you were kind and caring, fun, and beautiful, a great friend to many, easy to be with, classy, and always willing to help. You were always volunteering your time and creativity to your family and friends, and your friends' friends, etc. Your creativity and artistic skills live in your home, and in many others. Whether it was your artwork, rug hooking, sewing, crocheting, beads, bracelets, and on and on and on, people marveled at how talented you were. Yet you always took it humbly. If someone needed something made, they often came to you. You made our house beautiful for the holidays and I will try my best to continue to replicate it in the coming years. We know this will make you smile and it will make us happy as well.

I know the past year or so was challenging and came quite unexpectedly. Eventually, after you lost strength in your right arm and hand in July 2021, you came to terms with it and often made jokes about it. You were comfortable with it in time. However, the past 90 days were extremely difficult for you knowing that the end may be coming sooner than expected. You chose to keep your health issues to yourself, aside from myself, your sister and the medical professionals in your close circle, not wanting to burden your children, close friends or anyone else with what was to come for you. While this shocked, and in some cases hurt some, it was your choice and you felt it was the right thing to do, and I agreed and wholeheartedly agreed. While everyone is in shock, they are coming to grips with understanding what your choice was and accept it as best they can. However, and most importantly, we know they will remember you for all the good things about you and their time with you.

Someone once said "they say we die twice - once when the last breathe leaves our body and once when the last person we know says our name." Mary, I will continue to speak your name so you may live forever.

Finally, I sit here writing this three days after you have passed, I can't imagine just yet what life will be for me and for your family now that the you, the Matriarch of our family, has left us. However, what is more important is you are at peace, though the end came much quicker for you than expected. It saved you from many physical hardships in the months ahead. From this point forward, please know that we will fall back on a lifetime of great memories of you. The photo albums are overflowing, thanks to you. This will put a smile on our face and joy in our hearts forever. May God accept you into his open arms.  We know you are smiling down upon us.

God bless you and may you rest in peace.

Your loving husband,

Tim

Dear Mom,

This is the first letter I have written to you since you have passed, but I know it will not be the last.  I see your picture and hope I will see you instead soon.  I would love nothing more than to hug you again.  I never imagined you would no longer be with us at such a young age and I thought we had so many more life experiences to share.  I am still wrapping my head around your ALS diagnosis and if anything just wish I had been able to help care for and support you.

Mom, you were loving, you were kind, and you had an amazing generosity of spirit.  You were always willing to give of your time, talents and your love.  You created a beautiful life for our family and I am fortunate to have endless loving memories.  One of my favorites was building, painting and decorating a dollhouse with you while we vacationed at Lake Chautauqua when I was young.  You had an amazing ability to make a house a home and I loved all of the times you helped me do this with my homes over the years.  You stepped right up to take care of Madeline when I went back to work and then Andrew and I know all that you put into your time with them paid back dividends in the wonderful loving relationship you developed with each.

I have wonderful memories of our girl's weekends when I lived in Chicago, pool days with Madeline when she was a baby and then quiet time on the beach in Hilton Head.

I will never be able to fill your shoes in so many ways, but I gain comfort in the fact that you encouraged me to be my own person.  I am also grateful that through the bond you shared with Madeline she will help me to keep many of your memories and traditions alive.

While I miss you tremendously, I know you are still walking by my side and watching over our family.  I pray that you are at peace and thank you for the beautiful life you gave me.

Love always,

Leslie

Dear Mom,

Let me start by saying, "thank you", for sharing Scott with me. From day one, you welcomed me with open arms into your family. Your unconditional love towards us all will never be forgotten. You and I share so much in common. Our love of all things creative is a bond that most mother-in-laws and daughters-in-laws can not say they have. You were always so generous and helpful making sure we were all taken care of and had everything that we need.

We will forever be grateful for the time that you have given to Jack and Maeve. You have always been their biggest fan. Their sporting events and activities will never be the same without you. Their annual gingerbread making and trips to the show and Red Robin will be missed.

I remember you saying to me once, "I love watching Scott look at your kids. I have never seen a father adore their children the way he does". He gets that from you. The twinkle in your eyes live on in Scott. Maeve has your beautiful hair.

I am still waiting for you to greet us as we walk through the door of your home. It is hard to imagine a holiday or special occasion without you. Hilton Head will never be the same. But there are memories of you everywhere I look. You put your special touch on everything and I will never not look at Christmas decorations, a beautiful garden or a Chicos without smiling and thinking of you.

My favorite memory of you is watching you go in the ocean and the pool with the kids. I can't think of another grandma in the world that will ride waves with their grandkids!

We wish we had more time with you. We feel cheated. We pray that you are resting in peace and are united with your loved ones that have gone before you.

Until we meet again.

Love always,
Katy

Grandma,
You weren't like other grandmothers, who let their age impact their way of life. You
continued doing the things you loved like rug hooking, painting, going to family sports
games, going to the beach and spending time with your family. You poured your heart out
of fondness to your children, grandchildren, friends and relatives. Until the very end.
Always energetic, always spirited, and always ready to bring a smile to everyone's face.
Grandma, your full life touches so many. You will never be forgotten. One of my favorite
memories with you was when we had a St. Patrick's Day party with Jack, Maddie, and
Maeve in 2012 after school. Rest in peace grandma

Love your grandson, Andrew Massey.

Dear Grandma,
I can't put into words how much you meant to me and many others. You were
always happy and I will always remember how bright and contagious your smile was.
You loved to paint, cook, bake, and go to family sports games, among other things. Some
of my favorite memories with you were making cookies or gingerbread houses for
Christmas or going to the movies with Maddie, Andrew, Maeve, and I. If I was only
given 5 words to describe you I would say you were always brave, kind, creative,
passionate, and forgiving. You always came to support Andrew, Maddie, Maeve, and I at
our sports games which meant more than you could ever imagine. Another memory I
will never forget with you was the Disney Cruise, every night and day was always so fun.
I also loved when we went to Buffalo, your favorite place on Earth. I loved seeing your
childhood homes and reliving your favorite memories of Buffalo. My Dad and your son
Scott told me how no matter how someone acted towards you or treated you, you always
loved them unconditionally. May your soul find rest.

Love your grandson Jack McManamon.

Dear Grandma,
I miss you so much. I loved baking and going to the movies with you. You have been so proud of me since day one! I liked how we always went to lunch at Red Robin. I loved making gingerbread houses with you and our family. When I do those things, I will always remember the loving and fun times we had and you will be with us in our hearts. I love you so much!

Your "Sunshine", Mary Maeve

My sweet grandma,

You were not only my grandma but also my best friend. Since the day that I was born we have been attached to the hip. I was your girl, and you were mine. The moon to my stars. You have made one of the biggest impacts on my life and it will forever stay that way. You taught me how to be loving, caring, and how to have fun. You had the prettiest smile that you will always be remembered for. I will never forget the way my head fit perfectly on your shoulder, our many snuggle naps, and laughing with you. I loved watching you live life to the fullest and making an impact on everyone. Without you, I wouldn't be the girl I am today. I will always be your girl, and you will always be mine. Until we meet again, rest easy grandma I love you endlessly.

Your granddaughter,
Madeline