STEUBEN – Mildred E. (Torrey) McManus, 82, passed away July 21, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born July 4, 1923, in Winter Harbor, the daughter of James and Ora (Leighton) Torrey. Mildred attended Winter Harbor Grammar School and Winter Harbor High School where she played basketball and belonged to the 4-H Club. After high school, Mildred married and moved to Milbridge, where she raised her two sons, Lawrence and Gary Ray. Story after story can be told of her love for her sons and the fabulous memories she has of raising them. Additionally, Mildred spent many years working at the L. Ray Packing Co. sardine cannery, and there she managed the employee restaurant. After her sons were grown, Mildred moved to North Reading, Mass., where she worked for 17 years as a computer technician at Compugraphic. In 1989, Mildred and her husband, Linwood McManus, returned to Maine to be closer to family. Mildred loved spending time motorcycling, snowmobiling, and she even enjoyed her first kayak ride on the Narraguagus River just a few years ago. She was an amazing cook, and will forever be remembered for her delicious peanut butter balls. Mildred also had a sense for fashion and never went anywhere without looking her best. Just as Mildred showered her friends and family with love, so did she shower love on her cat, Tinsel; and her parrot, Kramer. Mildred was never afraid to speak of her pride in her family, and she was even known to boast about how incredibly smart her animals were. Mildred will be sadly missed by her husband of 36 years, Linwood “Bub” McManus; her son, Lawrence Ray and his wife, Drusilla, of Milbridge; her son, Gary Ray and his wife, Paula, of Milbridge; grandchildren, Stuart Ray, Joan Ray, Brittany Ray, Jeremy Ray and Ben Ray; great-grandchildren, Bayley, Tommy and Joseph Ray-Smith, Allexis, Shailyn and Tylor Martin; sister and best friend, Virginia Dyer and her husband, Peter; stepson, Lawrence McManus and his wife, Dawn, of Addison; stepson, Roy McManus of Massachusetts; stepson, Charles McManus and his wife, Cheryl, of Milbridge; special niece, Dixie Dyer of Clinton; special nephews, Owen Dyer of York and Ricky Dyer of Jacksonville, Fla.; stepgrandchildren, Amy Pinkham, Chris McManus, Lacey McManus, Katie McManus, Misty McManus, Ashley Partridge and Mitchell Partridge; great-stepgrandchildren, Landon and Emily; life long friend, Charlene Coffin; special friends, Carl Moffatt, Ray and Edna Barnum; a special caregiver, Shirley Newenham and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mildred was predeceased by three brothers, Elmer, Leroy and Francis Torrey; sister, Joan Torrey; and stepgrandson, Brandon McManus. A graveside service will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, at Moss Cemetery, Ridge Road, Cherryfield, with the Rev. Joyce Ingrisano officiating. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate in Mildred’s memory may do so to the Mary Dow Center for Cancer Care, 50 Union St., Medical Office Building, Suite 3600, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Arrangements by Cremation Basics, Bangor. And now dear Mildred, as you have so frequently said, “I am not sleeping, I’m just resting my eyes.” It is now time to rest your eyes and sleep.
MILDRED MCMANUS
