Elizabeth Jane (MacNeil) Manning

                  Elizabeth J (MacNeil) Manning, October 23, 1934 – February 3, 2021 
 
Elizabeth (Bette) Jane Manning, formerly of Brockton, MA and of late living in Middleboro, MA passed 
away peacefully on February 3rd, 2021 after a period of failing health.  Born and raised in Brighton, MA, 
Bette graduated from Our Lady of the Presentation High School in 1952, followed by training at Hickox 
Secretarial School.  She met John Patrick Manning, the love of her life, on Cape Cod in 1955 and they 
married in 1960.  While living in Brockton for the majority of their adult lives, they successfully raised 
four devoted sons, where Bette relished her role as a loving wife and mother.  As the kids grew older 
Bette began waitressing, enjoying every moment where her outgoing personality and her love for people 
shined through.  As the nest was emptying, Bette served as an administrative assistant for ten years at 
Wheaton College before retiring in 1995.      

Bette was predeceased by her husband John after a 60-year marriage of complete and utter love and 
devotion. Nothing gave Bette more joy than spending holidays and vacation time with John and their 
four sons, Colonel (US Army, Retired) Edward and his wife Beth of Overland Park, Kansas; Colonel (USAF, 
Retired) Timothy and his wife Ana Maria Reategui; Dennis and his wife Lori of Massachusetts; and John 
and his wife Cindy of Massachusetts, as well as their eight cherished grandchildren. 

Bette and John enjoyed their golden years by traveling all over the globe visiting their military sons 
wherever they were stationed, while spending summers in Maine and winters in both Florida and Jekyll 
Island, Georgia.  She loved her nightly cribbage games with John, kayaking, relaxing on the beach, 
walking, reading, following the Red Sox, and most of all – shopping!   

Bette is also survived by her sister Anne (MacNeil) Moshner of Waltham and many nieces and nephews.  
She is predeceased by her father, Leslie MacNeil, her mother Mary (Dillon) MacNeil and her brother, 
Leslie MacNeil. 

In light of the current restrictions due to the COVID pandemic the family is planning a memorial event for 
both Elizabeth and John at a later date.

 In lieu of flowers please send donations to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 
https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate/   

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