Sarah Eleri Meyler McManus

Sarah McManus, nee Warren-February 26, 1947 to May 9, 2019. Predeceased by her parents Dr. James and Estelle Warren. Survived by her immediate family: Dr. Jamie and Jane Warren, nephews Peter/Maggie and Barry, niece Emily/Connal. Also survived by her husband Dick McManus and his family; sisters Elsie and Kathy/David, daughters Holly/Ted and grandson Andrew, Gillian/David and granddaughter Lauren, and of course many friends.

After graduating from U.B.C.with a Masters Degree in Theatre Arts, Sarah worked with the Tamanous Theatre Company as an actress and stage manager. She left the Company to work in the Drama Department at Vancouver City College where she discovered her love for teaching. She then proceeded to earn a Teaching degree from S.F.U. Her first teaching job as a Drama/Emglish teacher and eventually Department head for Fine and Performing arts was at Burnaby Central High School. In 1979 her Drama class won first prize at the B.C. Schools drama festival held in Victoria B.C. A number of her students became professional actors and actresses. Notably, Michael J. Fox. In 1988 Sarah transferred to Alpha Secondary as Department Head, English. During her time there she completed a Masters Degreee in Education at the university of Victoria. Her time at Alpha came to an end with the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. She remained in the classroom as long as she was able. She loved working with her students. A very sad time for all concerned when she left the classroom, never to return.

Sarah never complained about having Alzheimer’s and made the best of the time she had left. She lived with the disease for 17 years or more. Her long, long journey, fortunately came to a fast and peaceful end.

A quote from one of her colleagues, “Sarah was a remarkable woman, colleague and friend. She had an incredible impact on my teaching and myself as a person. As a mentor she was outstanding and watching her teach and being in her department was a blessing. Her warmth, intelligence defined who she was….”

From her sister-in-law, Kathy, “Sarah was a remarkable person, she was passionate about her work with her students. She was intelligent, stylish, full of energy and ready for adventure-and she loved her family”.

Most lovingly missed but not forgotten.