Maryanne Manning of Jupiter, Florida, and Westhampton Beach died on April 18. She was 87.
Born on September 2, 1932, Marian “Maryanne” Irene was one of nine children born to Thomas and Marian Cullen. In the early 1930s, the family moved from Brooklyn to Garden City. Her family spent summers at Breezy Point, where she fell in love with the ocean. Ms. Manning is a Garden City High School alumna Class of 1950 and a graduate of Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, Class of 1954.
In 1955, she met William J. Manning, a lawyer with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and they were engaged in six weeks. In 1956, they were married at St. Joseph Church, followed by a reception at the original Garden City Hotel.
Along with her parents, four of her eight siblings, Gene and Ginger Cullen, Vina and Bill Cullen, Rosemary and Perry Griffith, and Suzanne and Peter Riebling, raised their families in Garden City. The other siblings were close by in Manhasset, Tom and Shelly Cullen, Robert and Mimi Cullen, Eileen and Jake Blake and Cathy and Danny Pratt. This made for a close-knit family and festive parties at her parents’ home with their 56 grandchildren, her family said.
Ms. Manning was a member of Cherry Valley Club and was involved with AHRC and the American Cancer Society.
She attended many major sporting events, including Super Bowl III in 1969, when the New York Jets beat the Colts, and the World Series at Yankee Stadium in 1977, when Reggie Jackson hit three home runs on three pitches.
In the 1960s, Bill and Maryanne, along with their lifelong friends, Sally and Bob Keppler and Mary and Don Wenk, summered together in Westhampton Beach. Eventually the three families all settled on Dune Road.
Ms. Manning instilled a love of the ocean in her children and grandchildren. As an active member at Westhampton County Club, she was a championship level bridge player and an avid golfer.
She enjoyed being a chairperson of the Ladies Golf Committee, her family recalled, and even had a hole in one on No. 7. Over the years, the couple were members of Swordfish Beach Club and LaRonde Beach Club.
They retired to Jonathan’s Landing in Jupiter, Florida. Mr. and Ms. Manning were married for 41 years, until his death in 1997.
Ms. Manning was known for her magnetic personality, elegance, and her quick wit, according to her family. She was a gifted artist and loved to sing. A fantastic cook and consummate entertainer, she loved to make people feel welcome in her home. Maryanne had an affinity for nature, water, birds and sunsets. A lover of all seasons, she had a special place in heart for snow, winter, and Vermont, her family recalled.
For over 10 years, Ms. Manning enjoyed a wonderful companionship with Bob Martin, until his death in 2017. Mr. Martin was her neighbor in both Florida and Westhampton Beach, where they shared many friends and interests.
Ms. Manning was devoted parishioner over the years at St. Joseph Church in Garden City, Immaculate Conception in Westhampton Beach, and St. Patrick’s Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
She is survived by her six children, William J. Manning, Jr. (Cynthia), Michael P. Manning (Tara), Maura Comerford (Frank), Marian Adams (Chris), John Augustine Manning (Carol), and Mary Elizabeth Kade (Tom). She was known as “Peach” to her 16 grandchildren: Michaela, Will, Jacki, Alex, Jack, Michelle, Francis, Madeline, Brendan, Caroline, Maggie, Kelsey, Julia, Sarah, Kathryn and Carly.
On Friday, May 1, a private burial was held at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood. There will be a memorial Mass and reception at a later date.