Delores Helen Manley

April 30, 1939 – February 17, 2023

We Love You Auntie Dee

Amy: How to begin, when I think of (“Grammie”) or (Mom) the two names I always called her. I can remember her open arms. She opened her home and listening ear when I needed comfort. The first time I met her she made an Italian dinner specific to my taste and Italian family roots. This was the first few dates for her son, Chris and myself. We quickly feel in love and I’m thankful to be with her son today and have a beautiful family. The last words I heard from her were, “I’m so proud of you both as parents, you have raised amazing children.” She always had a large part in their life and was overjoyed to spend time together. I will never forget our last dinner out, she ordered Sheppard’s Pie and let the server know that it was, “extremely delicious!” She looked around at her grandchildren’s plates and told them to finish and they could have dessert. She was a mom to Chris and me and “Grammie” to our children. She was a person that I will always miss, we had the best conversations!

Amber: Auntie Dee, to me, is an example of what it means to lead by example. She lived a life full of adventure, has a heart bigger than most and loves deeply with it, and she practices what she preaches- and holds you to the same standards. She loves her family dearly, and we love you very much. You are part of the glue inside our hearts and consciousness that holds us together and guides us forward. I love every minute I’ve ever spent with you. You took us in and kept us safe as kiddos, and you being there for any of us has never stopped over the years. You are a gangbuster of a woman and the bee’s knees of an Aunt! I love you with all my heart.

Jessika: My favorite thing about her is she was always there when you needed her with love and open arms. My favorite memories were just hanging out, enjoying time together, and listening to her stories.

Keven: To be honest, my favorite memory was sitting on Grandma’s living room floor with Aunt Dee on the couch watching Burn Notice and talking about life- named our daughter after a character from that very show. Fiona wouldn’t have her name if not for Dee.

Kayla: Auntie D always told you what you needed to hear; instead of, what you wanted to hear. She was a guidance in our family of love, care, and perseverance. My favorite thing about Auntie D is her and her realness.

Belva: Dee made sure I had everything I needed regarding baby clothes, items, and a stroller- when Julie was born. She was like a second mother to Julie and Ann. She was always doing for everyone else.

DeeAnne: I love it when she is being no-nonsense Auntie Dee- saying, “DeeAnne, I don’t want to hear any excuses, just, get, it, done.” It was very frustrating at the moment, but I have that refrain stuck in my head in a good way. 2 mile run? No excuses. Get it done. Hard test to take? No excuses. Get it done.

Kim: Whether you want it or not, she is going to give it to you straight, because, to her, it is the best way to get you to your best life and self.

Julie: My favorite memories are Christmas shopping and “junk” shopping ? My gratitude for teaching me kindness, forgiveness and to be optimistic in all circumstances. For teaching me that it’s always in God’s hands and making me look in the mirror- I did this with Kayla and now Keven does it Fiona. There’s just 50+ years too much to list. I’m eternally thankful that I have had your guidance and friendship above all else. I love you!! Also, it’s apparent your brothers still need you. I loved her positive attitude, no matter the situation. Many things I’ve passed on to Keven and Kayla. Now, Keven is saying the same words to his kids (I hear her voice saying them to me when he uses them with Fiona and Oliver).

Brandy: I love how she tried to teach us etiquette, to strive to always be better, and spending quality time with her- whether by cooking or taking us to an art museum.

Sebastian: My favorite memories are Christmas Eve, and when she came to my mom’s wedding and I was helping her up the stairs and going everywhere with her.

Celyna: My favorite memory of Auntie Dee is definitely sitting around and talking about all of her trips she used to take and all of the stories she would tell me when she was traveling the world as a merchandiser. Also, I love her love of knickknacks and antique shops. I love you and miss your stories as well. She is really inspiring.

Betty: My greatest memory of Dee is when we worked together. I never had to worry about what my employees were doing or if the work was being completed in a timely manner. She ran the office very efficiently and took a lot of responsibility off my shoulders- to free up my time so I could appraise and earn a living. We were great friends who had each other’s backs and sometimes would go out to dinner after work.

Jerry: Thank-you for the late night dinners after a long work day, for telling it to me straight, for your acceptance and love.

Jim: My favorite memories are: shaking hands with her boyfriend…using my Foot….I think first & last date, Gary spent 3 days in bed after going out with me and a couple other guys…huge hangover….her mother was pissed at me…. poor little boy, and Delores and myself spent a number of nights pooling our money and drinking Martinis at the National City Bowling alley….

Julie (next door neighbor): I have the worst memory. But can I just say how much I’ve enjoyed having Dee as a neighbor. I’ve been in this house 17 years, and I couldn’t have wished for any better. Neither of us is a social butterfly, so we didn’t bother each other, but we were happy to run into each other and chat sometimes for half an hour. When I first moved in, I was pruning along the fence, and she came over and introduced herself and said she hoped I’d be as happy here as the last neighbor. What a nice way to make an acquaintance. She and your entire family are in my prayers. Hugs

Adam: Some of my favorite memories are going over to mow the lawn every summer while her and grandpa chatted- refusing pay but she insisted on giving it anyway, going over to fix things around the house for her with grandpa, going through all of the neat things she had to show me and grandpa, and bringing over some of her favorite food items that grandma and grandpa made for her. She’s so amazing and so family oriented to each and every one of us.

Madison: The small lessons I’ve picked up over the years remind me of Dee each time I practice what she taught me: wear brown eyeliner instead of black, clean as you go, always be aware of your surroundings, be confident and look it too. I have always looked up to her, always. I build myself up as Dee encourages. I wanted to be like her- to be as unwavering and attentive and giving and confident and experienced as her. I haven’t gotten there yet, but I’ll keep building myself up. And each time I look in the mirror and notice that my shoulders don’t slouch as much as they used to, I’ll think of Dee. I’ll offer my thanks up to heaven for the care I continue to receive from her. Each time I wear a particularly stylish outfit, I’ll remember the thoughtful and honest compliments Dee would offer. I’ll thank her then too. And if I manage to burn No-Bake oatmeal cookies again, she’ll be the first I wish to tell. Each time I eat a Spearmint lifesaver, each time I use a level, each time I wrap a present, each time I sew, each time I hide an Easter egg, each time I stick up for myself: I will think of Dee and thank her- for everything she has done for me, for our family and for all she has taught and inspired me to do, I will thank her. Today and tomorrow and until my last day, I will have all this and more to thank her for. I love you Dee. Thank you, always and forever.

Lee: My favorite memories are the Christmases’ at her house.

Jeffrey Jr: That she would always give us a talking to if we needed it, but no matter what was said she said it with love.

Morgan: I always liked the frog that seemed to guard the front door, the sienna carpeting, the cigarette smell, the yellow kitchen curtains, the semi-forested backyard, the style of jewelry she wears, the balance between eccentric troublemaking and stable decision making, the being such a driven person but also a “bad” driver. My favorite memories so far have been: doing Easter baskets, going through grandma San Diego’s things after she passed, and the one time we ran errands and bought groceries for dinner and Maddie and I started following her in the house and just how she reminded us of the groceries was strict, quick, sarcastic and jolted me into a self awareness instead of just going through the motions, and it wasn’t a big thing, but I think about it often.

Elizabeth: My favorite memory… The spring and summer months that were spent barbecuing and playing volleyball in her backyard. She taught me a great work ethic, showing me how- by example- to work hard for what you want. I spent many weekends going to swap meets with her. I don’t remember selling much at them, but she still went.

Gary and Robin: Our favorite thing about Auntie Dee was the family get-togethers: the turkey thanksgivings, spaghetti dinners and summer barbecues.

Logan: I would say my favorite memory is as a kid playing in her front yard on our bikes, waking us up early for church- coming into the rooms to wake us, and being at every sports game of mine- even if it was hard for her to get around.

Cassidy: I saw her a week ago and had a great talk with her. She knows the love her grandkids have for her. I want to leave it at that.

Mary: My favorite thing I used to do with her was we used to go swap meets (they are like Saturday markets), and I used to love cooking with her for the holidays; even though, everyone used to joke around and say how much of a bad cook she was.lol.

Patrick: She believed in me when I was incapable of believing in myself.

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