Joan A. Manley

Joan A. Manley, 88 years old, of Norwich, passed away December 17, 2025. Joan was a lifelong resident of Norwich, born to the late Orville and Alma (Gibbon) Smith on May 5, 1937. Joan graduated from South New Berlin High School in 1956. She worked as a meat wrapper for Victory markets in Norwich for many years. She met the love of her life, Bruce R. Manley and married him on October 20, 1956 at the Holmesville Baptist Church. After settling down with Bruce, she stayed at home to take care of their kids.

Joan loved “her” Dodgers baseball team, as she called them and was an avid NASCAR fan. You didn’t want to phone her if she was watching a race. She also loved football, rooting for the Dallas Cowboys because her children loved and rooted for them.

She also enjoyed bowling and was very good at it, having won many trophies doing it. She loved her Wednesday morning women’s bowling league. People could hear her turkey call if someone got a triple bowling.

Joan leaves behind three children, Debby (Bruce) Branham, of Norwich, NY, Marty (Kathy Gunter) Manley, of Raleigh, NC, and Kevin Manley, of Binghamton, NY. She has four grandchildren, Josh Manley, Drew Palmer, Jordan Ruegamer, and Travis Manley; two great grandchildren, Imogen and Zachary Manley; her brothers and sisters, Jane Sanford, and David Smith; her sister in law, Patricia Ryan; her brother in law, Rev. Don (Anne) Manley; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, Bruce in April 2012; her twin daughters, Lisa and Holly Manley; her grandson, Zachary Palmer; and her sister, E. Donna Seaman.

Calling hours will be held at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad St. Norwich, on December 29, 2025 1:00pm to 2:00pm with a funeral service starting at 2:00pm. Pastor Grant Smith of the Holmesville Baptist church will officiate. Burial will take place in the spring at Mt. Hope Cemetery.