Iris Viola Manning Songy

Iris Viola Manning Songy passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. She was born on August 5, 1929. His Green Eyed Girl was reunited in Heaven with her loving husband, Kenneth Jude Songy Sr. She is survived by her children; Eric Songy (Kathy), Gary Songy (Karin), Kenneth Songy Jr. (Frances), Kirk Songy, Monica Songy Trepagnier (Tracy), and Daniel Songy (Jolie). Grandchildren; Richard Jr., Kasey, Kelly, Caitlin, Christopher, Andrea, Matt, Lance, Becky, Brad, Rachel, Adam, and Jayme. Great-grandchildren; Christopher, Kelsey, Ryan, Woodrow, Ruby, Asher, Angelle, Benjamin, Tyler, Emma, and Harper. She is also survived by her siblings; Glenn Manning (Bonnie), Arlene Manning Mahoney (Jim), Annette Manning Merriman (David), and Carl Manning (Nancy).

She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Jude Songy Sr, her son, Richard Songy Sr. (Janet), siblings; Donald Manning, Jerome Manning, and Stanley Manning. She is also preceded in death by her parents Elzie Manning and Monica DeRosier Manning.

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Iris attended college in Miami, Erie and received a BA degree in Home Economics from Dominican College in New Orleans. After raising 6 boys and 1 girl, she went back to Dominican College to get her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. Iris truly enjoyed her career as a Kindergarten Teacher working 20 years in St. Charles Parish School System at St Rose Elementary and Norco Primary. She was the first teacher to open a Kindergarten in St. Charles Parish 3 years before Kindergarten was available in the public schools. She was awarded Teacher of the Year for the 1988-89 school year.

Being a devout Catholic, Iris was a long time member of the Alter Society and was a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She enjoyed traveling during her retirement years to churches and shrines all over the country and in Canada. She was an avid collector of religious statues and in particular – angels. Her favorite hobby was making rosaries from Job’s Tears that her husband grew in his garden. In her final year, she was very well taken care of by the staff of Ashton Manor and made many new friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Visitation at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 13396 River Rd. Destrehan, on Thursday, December 21, 2017 from 9AM to 11AM. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11AM. Inurnment to follow in the church mausoleum. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.HCAlexander.com.