Ruth Rowland McMANIS

News Death Notice

McMANIS, Ruth Rowland died peacefully on January 15, 2014 at Stafford Hospital; Stafford, Virginia at the age of 101. She moved to Stafford, Virginia in January 2010 and, at the time of her death, was living at the Greenfield Senior Living facility in North Stafford, having lived in Dayton, Ohio for the previous 45 years. Ruth was born in Clay Center, Kansas on May 16, 1912 but grew up in Lawrence, Kansas. She was a graduate of The University of Kansas, with a degree in Music Education. The violin was her instrument. Her husband of 69 years, the late Reverend Lester W. McManis, predeceased her on June 16, 2002. They had three sons - Robert B. McManis (Dundee) of Stafford, Virginia; Charles R. McManis (the late Dorris) of St Louis, Missouri; and Samuel W. McManis (Kathy) of Flower Mound, Texas; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Her family was always the most important part of her life and she was happiest when she was with them. After raising her three sons, Ruth followed two of her interests, music and libraries, as music librarian at Parrot Library in Old Greenwich, Connecticut in the 1960s. When Lester was called to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Dayton, Ohio, she continued to work in the library field at Dayton & Montgomery County Public Libraries until she retired in 1977. In retirement she became Volunteer Librarian at the Cox Arboretum in Dayton for 25 years, as well as Church Librarian at St Paul's Episcopal Church, where she was also a member of the altar guild. After moving to Stafford, Virginia to live close to her son, she attended Aquia Episcopal Church in Stafford, where she was loved by all and will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held at St Paul's Episcopal Church at 2:00PM on Saturday, March 1, 2014. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St Paul's Episcopal Church in Dayton, Ohio or the Episcopal Relief & Development Fund.