Mary Elizabeth Manning

LAKEVILLE — Mary Elizabeth Manning, 85, a lifelong area resident, died peacefully on March 15, 2019, at Hartford Hospital following a brief illness. 

Mary worked for many years as a bookkeeper for The Woodland Restaurant in Lakeville  and for the Shell gas station in Lakeville prior to her retirement in 2000.

Born July 1, 1933, in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Mary H. (McLain) and George E. Barton. She graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School. 

She married Reed Thomas Manning in Salisbury on July 30, 1955. Mr. Manning died Oct. 8, 1990. 

Mary was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury. She was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed knitting blankets, crocheting and puzzles in her spare time. Mary loved spending time with her family and sitting on her deck in the backyard at her Lakeville home. She will be dearly missed by her loving family and her many friends and caregivers.

Mary is survived by her sons, Reed T. Manning Jr. and his wife, Claire, of Massachusetts and Barton A. Manning and his wife, Kristen, of New Jersey; her six grandchildren, Reed T. III, Audrey, Erica, Becket, Sydney and Brooks Manning; her sister-in-law, Mary Barton of Lakeville; and several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, Richard Barton and George “Buzz” Barton; and her sister, Avis Jones.

Calling hours will take place on Thursday, March 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home in Millerton. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 22, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury, the Rev. Dr. Martha Tucker officiating. Burial will follow at Salisbury Cemetery. 

Memorial donations may be made to Noble Horizons, the Lakeville Hose Company or the American Legion Auxiliary.  

To send an online condolence, go to www.conklinfuneralhome.com.