Carol Mann

LAKELAND -- Ms. Carol Elizabeth Mann traveled to every continent except Antarctica in her quest to learn about other cultures. "She was an open spirit," said her daughter, Vicki Read of Washington, D.C. "Every person in another religion had something valuable to offer. "She never knew a stranger. She was generous, gregarious, lively, bubbly and vivacious." Ms. Mann, an accomplished artist, died of complications of multiple sclerosis Monday (June 28, 2004) in Lakeland. She was 63. Born in West Palm Beach on Aug. 28, 1940, she grew up in Lakeland and graduated from Lakeland High School. Ms. Mann was a painter and sculptor. "She sold pieces in addition to donating a number of them to PBS," Read said. Ms. Mann pursued her bachelor's degree at the University of Florida, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. Many years later, she moved to San Francisco, where she completed her degree from the San Francisco School of Fine Arts. She returned to Lakeland in recent years. During her travels, she went to such diverse places as Brazil, Tibet and the Jiangxi Province of China, where she attended the China Art Institute. "She just had a curiosity about the world, people, places and other people's values and beliefs," Read said. "My sister and I had passports at the ages of 4 and 8. She dragged us to every museum in Europe and she spawned those interests in both of us." Ms. Mann was a member of the Garden Club, Junior League and Antique Club in Lakeland. Ms. Mann is also survived by her daughter, Carol Read Dow, Lakeland; father, Jack Mann Sr., Lakeland; stepmother, Libby Mann, Lakeland; brother, Jack R. Mann, Lakeland; sister, June Williams, Oregon; and former husband, William A. Read, Lakeland. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Hollis Gardens in Lakeland. Refreshments will follow the service at the Garden Bistro at Hollis Gardens at the Lake Mirror Center. David Russell Funeral Home, Lakeland.