Lily Mae Maniscalco

Lily Mae Alfano Maniscalco, 86, died Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Sugar Land, TX. She was born Lena Mae Alfano on June 26, 1926 in New Orleans, LA to Frank and Lillie Martino Alfano. Her father’s family immigrated from Poggioreale, Sicily and her mother was born in Alia, Sicily. The family moved to Houston in 1928, and she attended Memorial Elementary, George Washington Jr. High, and was graduated from Lamar High School in 1943. An only child, she attended The Lillian McCardell Dancing School in Houston until her early teens, often performing at the Lowes Theater in downtown Houston. She participated in the CYO at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and after high school worked briefly for Louis Danna Motor Co. and Humble Oil. She married Pete Maniscalco, Jr. on March 3, 1946 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Houston and had two children. After her children were older, she worked 30 years for HISD, retiring in 1989. She served 26 years as the Attendance Clerk at Fonville Middle School. Her friendliness and kindness endured her to her co-workers and the student aides, many of whom still remember her with great love and fondness.

In her retirement, she lived in Tomball, until Pete’s death in 1997, when she moved back to town to be closer to family and friends. She loved Houston sports, particularly baseball. Her sparkling personality and spirit of service to others make all feel welcome and valued. She adored and was adored by her grandchildren, their spouses, and great-grandchildren, responding to them even in her final years with dementia.

The family wishes to thank the staff and especially the Memory Care caregivers at Colonial Oaks Assisted Living in Sugar Land for their loving care. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 51 years, Peter Maniscalco.

She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Henley (Arthur), son Jack, of San Francisco, granddaughters Shelly Henley Kelly (Bryan), Lisa Henley Jones (Brian), Julie Maniscalco Carroll (Chris), of Austin, and grandsons David Henley (Leah) and Joshua Maniscalco (Erica), of Austin. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren, Cameron, Brenna & Douglas Kelly, Ashley, Daniel, & Laurie Jones, Alexander, Megan & Paige Henley. She also leaves Cousins Mary Ann Martino Ciarella, Barbara Martino Schroeder, Mary Joe Martino Brown, and Nettie Bergeron and former daughter-in-law, Nancy Maniscalco.

Visitation will be held at Earthman’s Resthaven on Wednesday, January 30 from 5 pm – 8 pm with Rosary at 7 pm. Services will be held in the Earthman’s Resthaven Chapel on Thursday, January 31 at 12:30 pm with Rite of Burial to follow at Resthaven Cemetery with Father John Rooney officiating.