Amy Mann

Amy Shields Mann October 19, 1953 December 13, 2008 Amy Shields Mann, 55, died Saturday, December 13, 2008. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at St. Alban's Episcopal Church with the Reverend Jeff Fisher officiating. Amy was born October 19, 1953 to Jack and Nancy Shields. She grew up in Knightstown, Indiana, attended high school in Madrid, Spain and graduated from DePauw University with a degree in Spanish. Amy spent her high school and college years traveling throughout Europe. After graduating, she worked at M.D. Anderson. At the age of 30, Amy lost her sight as a result of juvenile diabetes. She was the recipient of three kidney transplants. Despite her blindness, Amy was truly one of the most inspirational people one could ever know. She accomplished more without sight than many do with sight. Amy was determined that her blindness would not stand in the way of helping others. Amy was actively involved in many volunteer organizations. A member of the Junior League of Waco since 1988, Amy received the "Excellence in Voluntarism Award" in 1999. Since 1991, Amy sang weekly with the Junior League's Musical Therapy group. This was a very special group to her. Amy was also chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in Austin on its journey to Athens in 2004. As a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, Amy received "Theta of the Year" award. She served as the Advisory Board Chairman for Epsilon Epsilon Chapter at Baylor University. As a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Amy served on the Vestry, and was president of the Episcopal Church Women and St. Alban's Guild. She also served on the board for The Lighthouse for the Blind. Amy was a finalist for Doncaster's national "Legacy Award" for those who make outstanding contributions to their community. Amy loved children and teaching. She volunteered weekly at Sul Ross Elementary in Shirley Robinson-Ray's class until 2006. Amy taught bilingual second graders to read. When Mrs. Robinson-Ray retired, Amy then volunteered at Provident Heights Elementary. She was a member of the H.O.T. Independent Living Center and The Organ Transplant Support group. Amy loved to cook and enjoyed entertaining. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her. As giving in life, Amy was as giving in death. She was an organ and tissue donor. Amy is preceded in death by her parents Jack and Nancy Shields. Survivors include her husband, Doug Mann of Waco, her border collie Sweetness, mother-in-law, Laura Lou Mann, father-in-law, George Mann and wife Jeanne, sister Nina Koelpin and husband Sam of Chicago, brothers Ewing Shields of Indianapolis, John Shields of Annapolis, MD, and Linsey Shields of Portland, Oregon, nieces Nancy Knoelpflein, Anna Bouchard, and Elizabeth Bertrand, nephews, Chip, Chase, Casey, Ty and Trip Shields, brothers-in-law, George and David Mann, nieces, Michelle Bryant, Leah, Brianna, and Abby Mann, and nephew Braz Mann of Waco. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Waco Humane Society, 2032 Circle Road, 76706; Fuzzy Friends Rescue, 6321 Airport Drive, Waco, TX., 76708; St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 305 North 30th Waco, TX., 76710; The Junior League of Waco's Musical Therapy Group, 2600 Austin Ave., Waco, TX., 76710 ; Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, 8740 Founders Row, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46268, in memory of Amy Shields Mann, Alpha Chapter, DePauw University; or the charity of one's choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.