Anne "Annie" Jane McManus

Anne Jane “Annie” McManus died August 11, 2016 in Olympia, Washington, her home the past 32 years. She was born March 19, 1956 in Seattle, Washington. Annie graduated from St. Matthews Grade School (1970) and Blanchet High School (1974), both in Seattle, and earned a BA in Political Science/Education from the University of Washington (1982). She taught grade and middle school, was a parent educator, a partner in small businesses such as Sew Right Sisters, a child care and Blessing the Journey (facilitating home funeral vigils), and was a counselor/psychotherapist. Annie married Hugh J. O’Neill on September 12, 1987 in Seattle. She was an active member of Olympia’s Community for Interfaith Celebration (CIC) and hosted the Interfaith Works overflow homeless shelter many times. Annie and Hugh were MCs at the Lincoln School Auction and led Orcas Island’s Camp Indralaya’s family spirit week for several years. Kind and compassionate, Annie had an extraordinarily positive impact on the people in her life. She was passionate about and worked very hard at personal growth, mindfulness and emotional intelligence. She was also great fun and a true pleasure to be with. Annie was an enthusiastic spouse and a marvelous mother. She loved spending time with her family, friends and children of all ages. Here is an excerpt from a draft obituary about herself that she wrote at a workshop in 2011: “She loved her family with all she could muster. Annie mothered, friended and served from a heart that kept singing deeper and more merciful songs of devotion. She knew she was flawed and didn’t understand so many things, but she (also) knew she was a slice of sacred beauty that fit perfectly into the cosmic pie. She belonged. Her deepest sorrow was that not everyone rejoiced in their own belonging. She was accepting of death and used its coming to open her up more and more and more and more . . . .” Annie wrote fluently and insightfully about her life and journey through cancer the last two years at www.caringbridge.org “anniemcmanus” (no caps or spaces). Annie is survived by her husband, Hugh; daughter, Keeva; son, Kellen; brother, John; sisters, Mary Sue (Bunch) and Bridget; and extended loving family. Please leave memories of Annie or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.