Rest in peace, Maria.  Now you are reunited with your handsome naval officer.  Dance among the stars and let your light continue to shine. My love to your entire family.

auntie maria ❤

oh, my lovely, beautiful auntie maria... i always told her that she was my "favorite aunt" ---although i loved all my aunts. throughout the years, though, i saw & talked with her the most. i have many fond memories during my childhood of my auntie maria, uncle john, cousins jim, steve, joanie & diana. they were the "city mice" and we were the "country mice".  the many times they would visit us at our home in san benancio, we would go play in creeks, slide down mountains on cardboard boxes, ride horses...get all dirty, skin our knees...    my uncle john ( i always thought of him as a gentle giant), would get worried, tell us to be careful ... i could sense at times he was uncomfortable with what we were doing. but, my auntie maria would always say " oh john, they're kids just having fun!". she was always so easy-going and so much fun.                                              
        later, when i attended college in northern california, i would always make a point to stop & visit her, at her home in hillsboro, on my way to & from school. there were no cell phones back then. i would just suddenly show up at the door! my aunt was always so excited to see me! she was gracious & would make delicious food for me to eat (especially italian & greek desserts).    we loved to eat together! 
        eight years ago, my mother rose ( one of her younger sisters) passed away. i will ALWAYS remember the sincere loving kindness she exhibited towards me and my family.  we talked about twice a month throughout the years ( she was so genuine in her empathy towards me---as i had lost both my parents & my sister---she was like a "far away" mother to me)...  we would laugh, joke around, talk about the world (she and my husband joe, loved to talk politics). and, on occasion, she would even send me wonderful desserts----just like when i was younger!! so many people are "caught up" in their immediate day to day issues/concerns...but my auntie maria, always made a point to not forget about me. i will always be forever grateful to her.  
        i visited her twice this past year.  in her failing condition, i admired the strength she had. we laughed together & reminisced about old times. she told me how very much she loved her children. she was always so worried about being a burden to them.... i told her she wasn't, and they do not feel that way. i told my auntie maria, and i know for a fact, my cousins felt it was an honor to take care of their mother. 
        to joanie and diana ( and their families), you gave your mother one of the best "gifts" a child could ever give their parent. to allow your mother to be in familiar surroundings at the end of her life; with the love and comfort of family around. it is an extremely difficult and unselfish "gift" to give. i was so touched when i visited, at how attentive, patient, loving and kind you ALL were to her. she was given such wonderful care. i know she is in eternity with jesus, and has no suffering or worries. what a blessing you shared to her. god bless you all. i will miss my auntie maria.  

Very sorry to hear of Maria's passing. Our sincerest condolences.
Mike & Sharyn Clairmont

It was my sincere good fortune and privilege to know and care for Maria and John Maneatis in their later years. In the process, I also came to enjoy a warm relationship with members of their devoted family.

These were very special people who enriched my life with their kindness, intelligence, wit and laughter. Those traits were unchanged in times of illness or loss.

They both led full and meaningful lives and will be fondly remembered.

Sincere condolences to the family in this time of loss.

OBITUARY

Maria Jean Maneatis

January 29, 1927 – September 17, 2017

Lambert Funeral Home

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