Eilene Marie Manning

From her birth in Hastings, Nebraska on February 19, 1930, she nourished people around her with love and music. The youngest of three children, born to Oris and Calla Fern, Eilene was first and foremost a musician. A classically trained mezzo soprano, she sang with Portland Opera and later with Oregon Opera Ensemble, which she co-founded.

An enthusiastic pianist and organist, she gave voice lessons from her home and sang and played for the churches she attended, applying herself to God and uplifting the congregation with her God-given talents.

She was part of the dinner theatre group The Present Tense along with her beloved husband, Carl, also a talented singer and actor. She continued her musical career managing classical artists through her own company, Manning Music Management, and nurtured many new talents to the stage. She was later an enthusiastic player with Northwest Senior Theatre.

Her first marriage to Stuart Herman produced her two beloved daughters, Sally and Lisa, both of whom pre-deceased her. It was Eilene’s love of music that first drew Carl to her. They married in Portland in 1962 and were parted only by his passing in 2002.

Left to honor Eilene and remember her love are her two sons, Mitchell and Russell, daughters-in-law Amber and Michelle; grandchildren, Matthew, Macy, Laura, Emilee, Dann, Elos, Aria and Gavin; great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Vivienne and Kacey, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins, and a wide circle of friends. Eilene was preceded in death by her brother Ward Fearn, and sister Shirley Shaneyfelt. She will be remembered as a shining light in the various communities and churches she served.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 9, 2017 at 12:00 pm at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97086. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

The Manning family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Holistic Care Homes in Beaverton, especially Jamie Enea and care givers, as well as Comfort Hospice for their attentiveness and loving care.