Manvela G. Guerin Dunckhurst

When Manvela G. Dunckhurst walked into the room, those in her company felt energy, an enthusiastic spontaneity. This was just one example of who Manvela was and how she impacted those around her. Manvela was a clever and gregarious person who always sought out the finest attributes in other people. It was as if Manvela wanted to share all of their experiences, revel in their lives and celebrate their discoveries. Manvela was tireless and had boundless enthusiasm that would serve her well throughout her life.

She was the daughter of Celista and Flavo Guerin. Manvela was raised in San Jose, New Mexico. Always at the ready with a good joke, she grew up to be quite a humorous person. While some who knew Manvela might describe her as an idealist, her friends and family understood well that Manvela was always in pursuit of life’s endless possibilities and opportunities available to her.

Manvela was raised with two brothers and five sisters. Manvela was very accepting and supportive of her family. She was perceived as the central person in her family in terms of keeping communication open between the family members. Whenever discord or tension arose within the home, Manvela was typically the member who brought about resolution and harmony. These traits served Manvela well in her adult life and, along with her wit, outgoing personality, and understanding of others, drew the admiration of many who knew her.

Manvela's skill at “building bridges” played an important role in her ability to make her new family happy. She was quite sensitive towards George Dunckhurst's needs, showing her constant concern and fondness. Manvela was tenderhearted and sensitive, qualities that served her well in helping to nurture her family.

Manvela was a natural and creative parent who was willing to provide her family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences. For Manvela, parenting was a particularly enjoyable and pleasurable part of her life. Every activity, from chores to bedtime routines, became a game in the Dunckhurst home. Manvela's skill at understanding her children's feelings, her sensitivity to their needs, and her gift for gentle persuasion enabled her to find novel solutions to any problem or situation that might crop up.

Manvela was uplifted by new ideas and was excited by life’s possibilities, traits that made her an exceptional worker. Her primary occupation was housewife. She was employed for owner of Seven Crystals Glass Shop. Manvela was enterprising, inventive and working against deadlines seemed to energize her. Manvela had the uncanny ability to identify a win/win solution to just about any problem, possibly because of her gift for insight. Manvela's fellow workers saw her as a supporter and a mentor.

Because Manvela was constantly in the center of things and where the action was, she always seemed willing to join in and help, regularly getting involved in community activities. Manvela's gift of planning and improvisation, along with a talent for rallying support, made her a great asset. Manvela found new ways of getting things done in order to help make just about every activity more efficient and enjoyable. Manvela was an active member of several community groups, serving on committees for the Cancer Society.

Manvela was a woman who was dedicated and devoted to her faith. She was a member the Catholic Church. She was sympathetic and able to empathize with others and she used these qualities to the fullest while working tirelessly for her beliefs.

Manvela's love of improvising in her daily life was a perfect fit for her enjoyment of traveling. Her favorite vacations were ones that were not planned. Traveling in a casual manor fit her personality well. Excited about seeing changing scenery and constantly looking for the enjoyment life could offer, Manvela took her vacations seriously, well, as seriously as she possibly could. Favorite vacations included Charleston, SC.

She is survived by her son George, daughters Irene Delavy, Diana Giesbrecht, Georgianne Hodges and Charlene Del Toro; grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; sister Fable Silverberg and Tina Nolie and brother Wilfred Guerin. Services were held at Palm Mortuary. Manvela was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery.

There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Manvela. She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Manvela Dunckhurst for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Manvela was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones.