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Marcia McManus Obituary
January 31, 1925 - April 25, 2019
San Jose
On Thursday, April 25, 2019, Marcia Jane (Peterson) McManus, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away at age 94.
Marcia was born January 31, 1925 to George and Ethna Peterson. She grew up in Saratoga, CA, and was a resident of San Jose. She attended Los Gatos High School and graduated class of 1942. Marcia attended Mills College in Oakland and received her master's degree from the University of Colorado, at Boulder.
In1950, she married Charles H McManus Jr. They raised three children.
Marcia was an educator through and through. As a young woman, she wanted to help children who had fallen behind in school. Having found Miss Carden and her Teaching Method, Marcia became a tutor. She later taught at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, served as Principal of St. Andrew's school in Saratoga. She went on to start her own school, Carden El Encanto Day School in Santa Clara, in 1973 where thousands of students were educated over nearly a forty year span.
Marcia was proud to have campaigned for Ronald Reagan when he was running for Governor of California. When she first met him she was skeptical. She said to him,"I don't think that an actor will make a good governor". His reply was, "We shall see."
She served on the Board of the Carden Educational Foundation for most of her career.
Some of her most cherished achievements were being awarded The Woman of the Year in 1956 by the San Jose Jaycees, serving as president of the Junior League from 1959-1960 and mostly being a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She was proud to be a life member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and extremely proud of her Swedish heritage.
She is survived by two Children: Kathleen Diane Martin (Lawrence) of Santa Clara and Kristin Anna Rao (John) of San Jose, her grandchildren: Shannon, Kim, Benjamin and Ali. Sean Charles McManus, her son, and Charles Henry McManus Jr., her husband, predeceased her.
She loved any handiwork and enjoyed playing games on her I Pad. She loved Russell, her dog who was her tenth wire haired fox terrier.
She was known for her quick wit and her kind and compassionate spirit. She was a strong woman who touched many lives.
She lived a Life Triumphant!!
Services will be held in the Chapel of the Oaks, Saturday, May 18 at 11:00 at Oak Hill Funeral Home San Jose.
There will be a reception following the interment.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the Carden Educational Foundation:
https://www.carden.org/donation/
View the online memorial for Marcia McManus
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Marcia McManus
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Christopher DAmbrosio
April 29, 2020
Teaching has certainly evolved over time manifest in our present Remote Learning model of instruction yet fundamental to the process remains: the love of children and their innate curiosity. Mrs McManus instilled that feeling and it resonates still, once received as an eager, inquisitive & energetic student, and now embedded in my pedagogy as teacher. I am forever grateful! #CardenColts
June 24, 2019
Marcia, My Sweet Godmother
Marcia was an incredible role model to me throughout her entire life. I always looked up to her when I was a young girl and was honored to attend Carden El Encanto. I looked forward to visiting her and Ticket in her office and she would treat me to her chocolate dutch pastel mints she kept in a glass jar.
At times when I stayed at her home growing up, we enjoyed games of backgammon, drinking Fresca and I looked forward to sleeping in Kris' pink room.
After graduation and moving away for college, I appreciated keeping in touch and cherished our annual visits.
Marcia has truly been an inspiration and has made such a difference in my life on so many levels. What a blessing you will always be to me, Marcia, my sweet Godmother.
On behalf of the entire Richards family, our continued thoughts and prayers are with all of the McManus family during this difficult time.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Jennifer (Richards) Daley
Jennifer Royse
June 17, 2019
Jennifer Royse
May 17, 2019
It has been my privilege to know Mrs. McManus in her role as educator and vice president of the Carden Educational Foundation. Her steady, unflagging zeal for education and for Carden made her the best of role models. Over the years she sent me many little messages of support, wisdom, and encouragement. They always seemed to arrive at just the right time. For me, she embodied these words from the Carden meditation,
"All is well.
I am happy.
Kindly thoughts of others, kindly deeds,
Give me a feeling of happiness.
I can make others happy
With thoughtful words and deeds,
And in turn I know happiness."
To all of you, her family, thank you for sharing a piece of her with me.
June 17, 2019
My days at Carden, including a few face-to-face debriefs with Mrs. McManus, helped foment my intellectual curiosity and affirm my belief to question the world around me and ardently pursue my dreams. The instruction, compassion and constructive discipline I received was nothing short of amazing with fond memories & lasting experiences I'll hold dear forever. Thank you!
-Christopher D'Ambrosio
Georgana Urton
May 19, 2019
Mrs. McManus (I never called her Marcia) was my English teacher in Jr high at Hillbrook Schools in Los Gatos 1964-66. She was one of my all time favorites and the reason I love language arts. Much later, I became an English teacher. I am proud of my grammar knowledge...thank you, Mrs. McManus. I am most thankful, however, that I could help my son diagram sentences when he was in 4th grade. ❤❤She made a difference.
Georgana Day Urton
Donald Benson
May 18, 2019
My memories are mainly family memories: Christmas at the McManus house in Saratoga and later in San Jose; Thanksgiving at the Benson house in Coyote; vacations to Squaw Valley and other gatherings. The kids in both families were very close in age, so we tended to run around in a pack while leaving the parents to periodically fret. Swedish meatballs were one of Mrs. McManus's holiday specialties, so it was nice to see them served at the reception. I think I'll always remember her as a major part of a big, happy picture of a big, happy time.
Heather McGill
May 18, 2019
I attended Carden Preparatory Academy from first grade through third grade, until we merged with Carden El EnCanto, where I remained until my graduation from eighth grade in the class of 1991.
I remember Mrs. McManus and her immense presence throughout my elementary and middle school years. She was the kind of women who set high expectations for the pupils in her school, but through her grace, her strength, and her kindness, she made us all want to surpass them. I remember never wanting to cross her, but not from fear; rather, I never wanted to disappoint her. She inspired me to want to work harder, be kinder, and to strive to be the best version of myself I could possibly be.
On the day of my graduation from eighth grade, I was honored to be awarded the Marcia J. McManus award for my year. I still proudly display the silver cup that bears her name. And nearly 30 years later, she still inspires me to work harder, be kinder, and strive to always do my best, both in my personal and professional life. As a mother, a partner, and an attorney, I still carry the legacy of what she taught me about how to live.
She touched and changed the lives of countless students. None of us would be who we are today without her wisdom and her caring heart. She will live on in all of us, as we pass on what she taught us for generations to come.
- Heather L. McGill (class of 91)
Karen
May 15, 2019
Sending big hugs to Kathi and Kristi and families on your loss.. Aunt Marcia was a big part of so many of my childhood memories and in later years as a lifelong friend to my mother. It seems she's touched many many lives during her lengthy and successful career as an educator. IAlthough I hadn't seen her in years, I'll miss her. My sincerest condolences to you all.
Veronique Fernandez
May 7, 2019
My condolences to the McManus family. Mrs. McManus was such an impressive educator! She will be missed.
Warmest regards,
Mrs.Fernandez, former Carden El Encanto teacher
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