Mary Jane Manning

Mary Jane Eskew Manning April 11, 1931 –August 20, 2010 Mary Jane Eskew “Goonie” Manning passed away Friday, August 20 at her home in North Waco. Funeral mass, with Father John Guzaldo officiating, will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church in Waco on Wednesday August 25 at 10 a.m. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Mary was born to parents Cecil and Agnes Vana Eskew on April 11, 1931 in Mart, TX. She attended Waco High School Class of 1949. She married Harold Manning, an officer in the Air Force, on August 18, 1956. During her marriage of 43 years, she traveled the world with her husband as an Air Force wife and mother, returning to central Texas in 1969 at her husband’s retirement. She became a devoted caregiver to her husband throughout his long illness, until his death in 1999. In earlier years, she was an active member of St. Louis Catholic Church, and an involved PTA parent at St. Louis and Reicher schools. She served as president of the St. Louis Mothers’ Club. She was also a founding member of the Animal Aides organization of Waco in the seventies. She would want to be remembered most for her unflinching faith in God and her love of family. Mary was preceded in death by husband Harold, brother Ralph Eskew and sister Virginia Eskew Magee. She is survived by sisters Charlotte Nanette Wiese, and Linda Wilkins and husband Don and brothers Werner Babe Eskew and wife Hattie, and Donald Snookie Eskew and wife Helen. She is also survived by daughter Janine Widmann and her husband Clay of McGregor, son Harold Manning Jr. and wife Cydni of Moffatt, and daughter Deirdre Manning Kirmis and her husband Joe of Gilbert, AZ. She leaves behind seven beloved grandchildren: Jonathan Chaney, Duncan and Cayley Widmann, Conor and Elise Manning, and Sean and Ryan Kirmis. Nephew Michael Eskew and his son Michael Bubba Eskew also held a special place in her life, as did her many other nieces and nephews and their children. The family would like to express deep appreciation to Dr. Gary Barbin and the Waco Internal Medicine staff for the excellent care they have provided over the years. Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic Church of Waco. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.