Wilma Claire Manion

1938 - 2022

Wilma Claire (O'Connell) Manion, 84, of East Hartford, loving wife of the late William B. Manion, peacefully passed away on Friday, December 16, 2022 at Hartford Hospital with her beloved family by her side. Born in Hartford on June 2, 1938, a daughter of the late John and Esther (Farrell) O'Connell, she had been a resident of East Hartford for most of her life. Wilma was a graduate of East Hartford High School, class of 1956. She was employed by Resolute Insurance Company and later Savings Bank Life Insurance (SBLI) both in Hartford as an underwriter, retiring after 30 plus years in the insurance industry. Proud of her Irish heritage, she loved listening and dancing to Irish music. She enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, traveling with her sister-in-law Pat O'Connell, and going out to dinner at area restaurants, especially the former Marco Polo Restaurant in East Hartford. She was a sports enthusiast and longtime loyal fan of UConn football, men's basketball, and women's basketball. Most of all, Wilma was a proud and dedicated mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt who cherished every moment spent with family members.

Wilma is survived by her devoted daughter, Kathleen Manion of East Hartford with whom she made her home; a daughter-in-law, Penny A. Manion of East Hartford; two special granddaughters, Lindsay Manion and her fiancé Nate Owen of Tolland, Meghan Manion of East Hartford; and one adored great-grandson, Maximus Fraser of East Hartford. She also leaves two sisters-in-law, Patricia "Pat" O'Connell of Vernon, Diane O'Connell of Newington; a dear niece, Jacqueline Danise of Ellington; several other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Along with her beloved husband and parents, Wilma was predeceased by a son, John R. "JR" Manion of East Hartford; three brothers, John O'Connell, Stanley "Bummer" O'Connell, James "Jimo" O'Connell all of East Hartford; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Frances and Howard White, Helen and Frank Agnew, Estelle and Joe McCarthy all of East Hartford; and one nephew, Milio "Mollie" Danise of Ellington.

Funeral service will be Wednesday (December 21, 2022) at 11 am at the D'Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, (Section G), Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday morning (December 21st) from 9:30 to 11 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wilma's name may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.