Marsha Elizabeth Manning

Marsha Elizabeth Manning, passed away on August 1st, 2024, in Springfield, Virginia. Born on April 20th, 1946, in Bloomington, Illinois to Oswald and Betty with her sister Pam. Marsha was the beloved wife of Paul Frichtl, the cherished mother of Doug, Wendy and Betsy, stepmother of Josh, Kate and Kristin, and grandmother to 12 grandchildren, Jacob and Nathan, Elle and Liv, Chloe and Jackson, Giosue and Victoria, Emma, Christian, Michael and Sophia.

Marsha grew up in St Petersburg, Florida, and graduated from St Pete High and then Florida State University. She began her teaching career serving as an English teacher at both Clearwater and Lakewood High School. After relocating to Virginia, Marsha began in Fairfax County Public Schools as an English teacher at Washington Irving Middle School in 1990. By 1999, she’d earned her master's degree in educational leadership from George Mason University and subsequently became an assistant principal at Mark Twain Middle School.

From 2005 to 2012, Marsha served as a founding assistant principal of South County Secondary School. In recognition of her exceptional leadership, she was named as founding principal of South County Middle School, where she built a culture of integrity and cultivated strong relationships with students, teachers, and her fellow administrators. Among the many accolades earned throughout her career, Marsha received the Nancy F. Sprague Outstanding First-Year Principal Award in 2013 from Fairfax County Public Schools

A beacon of hope and optimism for all who knew her, Marsha dedicated herself to helping others reach for potential inside themselves, and found great meaning in nurturing young minds as a revered educator and administrator. Countless people were inspired by her wisdom and guidance throughout her esteemed life and career. She was wise, empowering and a fierce protector of her teachers. She was an advocate for public education and a visionary. Her professional legacy will be that of excellence and devoted service to young people in Fairfax County. Her impact as a mentor, leader and manager will be felt for generations to come.

We are forever grateful for the time we received with such an amazing role model, leader, mother and wife whose memory will always inspire us to keep moving forward with determination & grace!

Marsha’s celebration of life will take place this Monday August 5th at Demaine Funeral Home located at 5308 Backlick Rd., Springfield Virginia from 4:00 pm-5:00 pm followed by Memorial Remembrance Time for those who wish from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marsha's memory may be made to the ALS Association.