Margaret (Maggie) Mancuso, 82, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Greeley CO. She was born in Greeley to Dr. Arthur and Tressa (Hill) Peterson on January 10, 1940. Maggie graduated from Greeley High School in 1958.
Maggie grew up in a musical family. She always loved singing. When her brother Jim and friends put together a trio composed of piano, drums and banjo, Margaret Ann sat on the staircase hoping to join in. At age 12, Maggie joined the group, dubbed the JADA Quartet. They won the National Kiwanis Stars of Tomorrow Contest and then began performing on such showcases as “The Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts” and “The Perry Como Kraft Music Hall”. They became regulars on the Pat Boone Show. In 1954, while the group was performing at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO, manager Richard O. Linke, who was attending a Capital Records convention there, heard Maggie and told her “If you ever get to New York, look me up”. After high school that is exactly what she did. When the rest of the JADA Quartet headed off to college, Maggie stayed in New York, and returned to the road when Linke teamed her with the Ernie Mariani Trio. On the nightclub circuit they eventually hit Las Vegas, playing the Sands Hotel in the early 60’s. Maggie was singing in Scottsdale AZ, when Andy Griffith Show officials caught her act and invited her to audition for the role of Charlene Darling. She got the role and played the part with gusto. Following her “Andy Griffith Show” breakthrough, Maggie worked with Griffith in the movie “Angel in My Pocket” and co-starred with Don Knotts in “The Love God”. Maggie played the role of Ado Annie in “Oklahoma” with John Raitt. She made guest appearances on such TV hits as “The Odd Couple”, “Green Acres” and “Love, American Style” and did TV commercials touting cars, shampoo, and detergents. In 1968, while she was singing as an opening act for “The Andy Griffith Show” in Lake Tahoe, Maggie met Gus Mancuso, who was playing bass with a jazz trio there. They became instant friends, marrying in the late 70’s and moved to Las Vegas in 1980 where they continued in the music and entertainment business. She sang with her husband and other jazz artists in Las Vegas and was a prominent performer at the Bootlegger Bistro. At the same time, she helped found the Las Vegas Jazz Society. She became a location manager for major TV and movie projects with the Nevada Film Commission. Her first assignment was “Casino” with Martin Scorsese; others were “Mars Attack”, “Pay It Forward”, and “Bubble Boy”. Maggie and fellow actor/comedian Ronnie Schell performed the play “Love Letters” in Mt Airy N.C., Atlanta, and Las Vegas. For more than 30 years, Maggie was a mainstay of the annual Mayberry Days Reunions in Mt Airy. She also continued singing with the Dillards at shows across the country.
Maggie loved animals and shared her life and home with numerous cats and dogs. She had an eye and a talent for interior decorating. Maggie liked Scrabble and was an avid reader. She loved biographies, poetry, and the classics. When asked what she would like for a gift, “Something good to read” was always the answer.
Maggie’s warm spirit and loving heart had a way of drawing others in and her joyous laugh, sparkling eyes, and beautiful smile will always be remembered.
Thankful to have shared her life are her sister, Phyllis (Larry) Eaton and brother, Jim (Sylvia) Peterson, nieces, Amy (Fritz) Eaton Royer and Anne Marie Peterson Buckland, and nephews, Bob (Tonya) Eaton, Ben (Missy) Eaton and Jim (Stephanie) Peterson, 10 great nieces and nephews, and stepson, Ronnie (Georgia) Mancuso, and two grandchildren
Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gus Mancuso, her brother Arthur Peterson Jr., and nieces, Amanda Peterson, Jamie Peterson Tuttle, and Jill Peterson Newel.
A private memorial is being planned.
Memorial gifts may be made to the “Andy Griffith Museum” in Mt Airy or the Nevada SPCA in care of Allnutt Funeral Home, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley CO 80634
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