Laura Ann Manazir
January 13, 1936 - January 15, 2015
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Laura Ann Manazir
January 13, 1936 - January 15, 2015
Obituary
Laura Ann Wilcox Manazir passed away peacefully at home accompanied by her husband, Bud, and her closest friend. Her gallant battle with multiple myeloma ended at 9:45am, Thursday, January 15, 2015…two days after her 79th birthday. Whether you knew her as Ann, Annie, or Laura, she filled your world with grace, love, and the most perfect sense of humility and savoire faire. She saw the best in everyone and fought through her pain with an insatiable sense of humor, even silliness at times. Her smile melted ice.
Annie was born in Waterville, Maine, travelling the state with her family as her father, Henry accepted various teaching assignments. Her high school years were spent in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, where she met future husband Bud, embarking on a journey with him that spanned six decades.
Annie attended the University of New Hampshire for a time, but college was not to her liking. In 1956, she chased a dream to the American Air Lines stewardess school at O’Hare Airport in Chicago, but life led her in another direction and she worked for the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service in Annapolis, MD, while spending weekends with Bud during his last two years at the U.S. Naval Academy, providing a warm kitchen and many delicious meals for Bud and his classmates, forming life-long friendships.
Annie and Bud were married in Boston in 1958 and spent the next 20 years roaming the world courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps. Mike joined the young Marine family in Quantico, Virginia, in 1959 and Chris arrived two years later, 1961, in Twenty-Nine Palms, California. There were many great experiences in their travels, but perhaps Laura’s favorite time during Bud’s career was spent riding the hills and dales of the English countryside on her favorite horse, Fortune, with her English stable owner friend, Eden, while Bud was assigned to RAF Wattisham, near Ipswich, England. In 1976, Laura moved with Bud and the boys to Mission Viejo, California, where Bud retired from the Marines and the boys began their adult lives.
For fifty-six years of marriage, Laura Ann was the quintessential lady, Marine wife, and friend to all. She loved living in Mission Viejo, where she provided solace and care to her many patients as Dr. Roger Guevara’s OB/GYN back office medical assistant for twenty years. Her work and her love for boxer dogs formed two of the greater pleasures in her life. She enjoyed traveling, especially during those few years when she and Bud could take their motor home to a favorite destination, free to travel when and where they wanted.
Laura had a special love for children and enjoyed making them giggle. Her sense of humor was always just below the surface. Sometimes, it would burst forth in the form of a frog noisemaker in her purse in a crowded elevator, or even mailing water balloons to Mike while he was at the Naval Academy, describing exactly how they were to be employed. Through the toughest of times, it was her sense of humor and her undying faith in the Lord that sustained her.
Laura’s loss leaves us with the memory of her grace and the enduring belief that she smiles down on us from a better place. She leaves this life with her angels, survived by her husband Bud, sons Mike and Chris, granddaughters Megan and Katherine, grandsons Ryan and Kevin, great-grandsons Kaleb and Jaxon and sister Toby Peratrovich.
19 responses to Laura Ann Manazir
Susan Marta says:
January 30, 2015
My family was “adopted” by Laura and Bud on the first day we met almost 20 years ago.
During the years we grew very close and Laura was “Nagymama” (grandma) to my sons. We spent holidays together with our families, and never forget the warmth and happiness we shared during those times: four generations of our families together celebrated Christmases and Thanksgivings together in our home around the Christmas tree and shared the warmth of the fire place.
Laura was always the heart and soul of those occasions who lighted up every minutes of those times together with her funny stories and happy laughter. I never forget how she started those stories: “Oh, Suz,did I ever tell you the story of,.”
Laura was my Best Friend, Sister, Mother, Girlfriend,adopted Grandma for my sons,We shared happy times and sad times, laughed and cried together,.She was there when I needed her the most and I was there when she needed me the most. She told me: “This is why God placed us here.”
There are no words to say “Thank you” for all the things she has done. There are no words what would make it any easier to say “Good bye” to someone we all loved and appreciated so much, who touched our lives and made every day happier for us all those years! Only time will ease the pain and heal the wounds that we all have in our hearts because of her leaving this world.
With all my love: Suzie Marta
David McDonald says:
January 31, 2015
Laura came into the lives of my wife Eden and I around 1970 in Suffolk, England when Bud was my Squadron commander at the nearby Royal Air Force base, a leader-by-example who won the respect and trust of all of us British air force personnel who served under him. Eden ran a riding stable and Laura visited often, the two becoming firm friends. I have very clear and happy memories of Laura riding through the Suffolk country lanes on her beloved horses. Chris and Mike learned to ride there too.
I also have very good memories of the many kind thoughts and deeds of Laura towards Eden and our family at that time and over the many, many subsequent years despite the thousands of miles that separated us, and despite the illness that she bore so bravely over a number of those years. I know that Laura’s many friends and family will recognise that inherent warmth, kindness and thoughtfulness that she freely gave to others. I can only imagine how much she will be missed, particularly by her loving family.
When our daughter was born in 1972 we named her after Laura who has remained in our hearts and minds over all those years. Eden passed away last October 19 th also after a long illness, and I have faith that she and Laura have now met again at last.
I hope that I have succeeded in attaching a photo on here of Laura at a happy time, around 1970/71 at our then home in Suffolk on one of her favourite horses Fortune.
Thank you Laura.
David McDonald
KATHRYN M BRANDLIN says:
February 3, 2015
It was 1977. I had just gotten married and we moved to Mission Viejo. I was in search for an OBGYN and my dad told me that Hector Guevara, his coworker, had a brother who was an OBGYN in Mission Viejo. I walked into his office for the first time and was met by the most beautiful women at the window. It was Laura. She had her hair up in a beautiful bun and had the most beautiful, friendly smile. Laura made me feel so comfortable as a new mom. She was so encouraging and Dr. Guevara and Laura worked so well together.
Over the years, after Dr. Guevara had passed away, Laura and I met a few times for lunch. She was in pain but would never, ever complain. She always had that beautiful smile and kind words for me. I will never forget Laura as long as I live. She was what every woman should strive to be. Love you Laura, Kathy
Rita Reynolds says:
February 6, 2015
Laura and I only knew each other during the last few years and sadly, we never had the opportunity to meet in person. Yet from our very first phone conversation we knew we were old friends of like heart and mind, “soul friends”, she would call us. She quickly became my most precious friend. We sent cards and boxes of gifts to each other with a mutual desire to bring beauty and joy to one another. We had an agreement that we could share exactly how we felt, no matter how sad or ill or afraid as well, of course, the wonderful adventures we had or dreamed of. We did not have to pretend to be “fine” with one another when we were feeling far from it, a sign of true companionship. I miss her terribly, but I know she is an angel now among the host of angels who always looked after her, and I’m sure from time to time she visits all of us, her family and countless friends who loved her so much, and always will. How very like our dear Laura to do so!
Rita Reynolds, Batesville, Virginia
Lana Tibbetts says:
February 10, 2015
Annie and NH memories – family gatherings, school activities, babysitting my brother and me, Annie and Bud’s wedding. Later as we “migrated” to CA, our trips to visit Annie, Bud, Mike and Chris in 29 Palms (right?), later in Mission Viejo and a couple of visits to Big Pine. Our last visit/lunch in Lancaster, NH was full of laughter and story telling – full circle. Annie was always so gracious, loving and caring – she had a way of making one feel so special. I knew Annie my whole life, though later on there could be years between visits, she was and will always be in my heart, I will miss you. Now you can be at peace and know that God will watch over your family.
Love,
Lana Tibbetts, Bethlehem, NH