Geraldine Ladelle Manley

Geraldine Ladelle Manley Geraldine Ladelle (Jeri) Manley, 82, of Tacoma, died on Tuesday, July 17,2007 in Tacoma, Washington from complications related to a large lung tumor. She was born to Leonard Leroy and Mable (Thomas) Matthews on July 9, 1925 in Ruston, Washington. She was a life-long Tacoma resident, graduating Stadium High School in 1943, where she majored in English, Home Economics and Typing. She also participated in many social activity committees, Thespians, Royal Rollers skating club, Record and Pep clubs, and interned as an Attendance Clerk. Both during and after WWII she volunteered at the local USO, where she loved to dance with the young soldiers and sailors. On August 30, 1947 she married one of those young former sailors, Patrick James Manley. They had seven children together and attended Visitation Catholic Church. She was the typical complete "mom" of the post-war era - cooking and baking from scratch, sewing and mending her children's clothing, managing the home, nursing the sick, being a second mother to all the children in the neighborhood, and gathering with the other mothers on the block for coffee after the children were off to school. She divorced in 1967, never remarried, and worked a variety of clerical and waitress jobs to support her family. After several years at Mr. Munchies family restaurant, she finished her working career at the Narrows Plaza Bowl restaurant. She was known and loved as a hard worker and friendly face to all her customers. For many years she was active with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and always a proud member of the Humane Society. She was well known as direct in her opinions, but intensely loyal to family and friends. After raising her family and retiring from work, she returned to her North Tacoma roots, settling at the Golden Hemlock senior apartments near North 26th and Pearl, where she made many new friends, enjoyed her cat, and watched as her children grew into adults, providing her many grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. In the days before her death, she enjoyed visits by all of her children, several grandchildren, and friends. Before she died she was able to go home from the hospital to see and touch her beloved cat, Pumpkin, one last time - and she smiled. Jeri is survived by six of her seven children and their families: John (Canby, Oregon), Sharon (Federal Way), Patricia (Willamina, Oregon), Kathleen (Tacoma), Kevin (Tacoma), and Brian (Woodburn, Oregon); several grandchildren: Alicia, Paul, Adam, Jamie, Alex, Kyle, Stefanie, Kara, Mari, Brianne, McKenzie, Bryson; four great-grandchildren: Jewell, Abby, Eddie, and Annora; her younger sister Linda (San Jose, California); and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her three brothers Donald, Martin, and David, her second daughter Mary, and her former husband. At Jeri's request, her body was cremated. The ashes will be scattered on the waters of Puget Sound north of her hometown in a private ceremony. A memorial service for family and friends is scheduled for 11:00 AM Saturday, August 11, 2007 at the Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 South Tyler Street. A light luncheon will be served after the service. No flowers please. Memorial donations to her favorite charity, the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County, at 2608 Center Street, Tacoma WA 98409, are encouraged. Condolences to the family may be sent to John Manley c/o 4215 North Gove Street, Tacoma, WA 98407.