Dona Manley
Help us celebrate Dona! Please share your stories and photos, and invite others who remember Dona.
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! All who have the hope of Christ will share his pure love in life eternal." John 3:1-3
Dona Joan Grabau Manley shined with pure love and affection for others. Born November 3, 1931 in Sabetha, Kansas; she passed away April 3, 2021 in Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas with her family and her loyal dog, Sadie, by her side.
The daughter of Chaplain (Lt. Col) Harold T. and Dorothy Engelbert Grabau, she lived a happy childhood in a loving family with her siblings, Lowell and Gretchen. She fondly recalled blissful summers spent at her grandmother Nunny's cabin on the shore of Lake Erie near Angola, New York. Nunny's grandchildren savored the simple pleasures of life and passed the time swimming, playing board games, gathering shells, and attending town dances.
Dona graduated from high school in 1949 in Loudonville, Ohio, where she was remembered as 'the most kind-hearted' and prettiest girl. She stayed in touch with classmates throughout her life.
Dona moved to Corpus Christi in 1951 and married dashing John D. Manley III in 1963. Dona led an active life playing tennis in area tournaments and building lifelong friends who shared a love of the game. She was a master bridge player, bonding with a core group of fellow players with whom she would play card games weekly for decades. Highlights were the cruises they took to Europe on the QE2, traveling, and playing card games accompanied by their husbands.
Her love of animals meant she always had a faithful dog or two in tow. And she revealed a weakness to saying no when her children would come home with stray animals which grew to an eclectic menagerie. She was a steadfast supporter of the Humane Society and animal rescue leagues.
A devoted child of Christ, Dona was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. She became president of Manco Oil Corp. after John died in 1995. She was an active member in Antiques and Flowers Garden Club, Corpus Christi Yacht Club, the Corpus Christi Country Club, The Art Museum of South Texas, and the Texas State Aquarium. Dona will be remembered as a gentle and gracious soul with a dazzling sense of fashion and chic. She delighted in entertaining at home and always kindled a spirit of magic at holiday gatherings. Family and friends were her heart's delight.
Dona was preceded by her beloved husband, John and her remarkable stepson, David Manley.
Those left to honor her life are her children, Dave Yuncker (Roxanne), Susan Manley Chandler (Lambert), Alicia Manley Hoover, Teal Manley Harris (Chuck); David's wife, Evelyne Jalquin Manley; grandchildren, Anne-Sophie Manley, Mathieu Manley, Amelia Yuncker, Jack Hoover, Madalyn Hoover, Chandler Harris, Cullen Harris, and Elissa Swesner-Smith; her brother Lowell Grabau (Peggy), sister Gretchen Grabau, and her many loving nieces, nephews and their families.
The family extends special thanks to Lara Hamilton, Gloria Gill, Jessica Rivera, Isabel Hernandez, and the caring staff of Holy Savior Hospice in San Antonio, Texas.
A private celebration of Dona's life will be held by the family at a later date. For those wishing to honor Dona's life, she asked that memorials be made to Church of the Good Shepherd, 700 S Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. Donations may also be sent in her name to Charming Pet Rescue, 8430 Flint Rock Drive, Boerne, TX 78006. (210) 843-8326
You are invited to sign the Guestbook at
www.porterloring.com
Arrangements with
PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH
2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78232 - (210) 495-8221