Mary Frances Manning

Mary Frances Manning, 45, of Canterbury died June 26, 2008.
 
She was the daughter of Joseph and Marie Manning of Jaffrey. Throughout her school years, Mary Fran excelled in academics and athletics, finished high school in three years and was a standout in gymnastics, track, and Nordic and Alpine skiing. She was named as a state Skimiester when just 14 years old. She played varsity soccer on Conants boys team.
 
This promising start in life came to an abrupt halt when Mary was struck by mental illness at 17. She struggled through the darkness of the next 20 years, in and out of institutions. With the support of family, friends, mental health professionals and the discovery of more effective medications and a lot of prayer Mary made a remarkable recovery in recent years. She lived in her own apartment, found her own employment, paid her taxes, started taking college courses, and she fell in love. This new life came to an untimely end when Mary was diagnosed with terminal cancer that claimed her life within weeks.
 
Mary Fran is survived by her dad, Joe Manning of Jaffrey; her brother, Jim, of Falmouth, Mass.; sister, Joanne Manning of Falmouth, Mass., Kathryn Manning of Peterborough, Regina Smith of Thetford, Vt., Brigid Howell of Hillsboro, and their families, including 12 nieces and nephews; her fiancé, Stephen Carey, and his mother, Lorraine O'Brien, both of Canterbury; along with many, many friends who shared Marys life. Her mom, Marie, passed away in 2006, but lived long enough to experience Marys recovery.

In lieu of flowers, please send a little something to Monadnock Family Services, 64 Main St., Keene 03431; or to NAMI-NH (National Alliance for Mental Illness), 15 Green St., Concord 03301. They guided us through the hard times.

Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

There will be no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, July 5, at 1 p.m. at St. Patricks Church in Jaffrey.