Mary Patricia (Norton) Manley, 78, died on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at Cape Cod Hospital after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Edward (Ned) L. Manley, Jr.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Michael and Gertrude (Brenton) Norton, she lived in the New Bedford area for most of her life. She was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
Her primary job was mother of seven, but later in life she was employed by the town of Fairhaven. In her younger days, she was a stewardess for American Airlines, an experience she truly relished. Her passion was her family and extended family. She loved following their lives. She will be remembered for her grace and elegance.
Survivors include her children, Kathy Cabral of New Bedford, Maureen Lowney and her husband Paul of West Yarmouth, Ted Manley and his wife Miriam of New Bedford, Mike Manley and his wife Rochelle of Fairhaven, Rosemary Voter and her husband Jay of Richlands, NC, Trish Manley of New Bedford, and Annie Manley and her partner Darlene of West Yarmouth. She had sixteen grandchildren: Ryan, Kara, Kristen, Kyle, Erica, Paul John, Jay Scott, Ned, Seamus, Michael, Michaela, Kevin, Tricia, Mary, Maura and Patricia; and five great-grandchildren, with five more on the way. She also leaves her sister Jane and her husband Jim Mulvihill of Raynham, Carol Mengersen and her husband Don of Florissant, MO, Rosemary Noe and husband Jim of Ocean View, DE and her brother Dr. Michael Norton and his wife Bunny of South Dartmouth; and a multitude of loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her life will be celebrated in a Funeral Mass on Thursday at 9:00 AM in Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, New Bedford. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-8 PM at Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.