Helen Marie Manning, our beautiful and beloved wife, mom, grandma and great grandma passed away peacefully holding her husband's hand on June 29, 2023 after a recent illness. She was 84 years young. She was the Matriarch of our family and the glue that held our family together. She was married to her husband, Fred Manning, for 63 years who she loved very much.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jeff Manning; her sister Marie Hajda; and her parents, Charlie and Marcella Gola.  She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Fred Manning; children: Debbie Hansen; Patricia Kippes (husband, Kerry); Brenda Zabojnik (husband, Craig), and James Manning; grandchildren: Robert Hansen (wife, Brittanie); Tabitha Guerrero (husband, Alex); Brittany Hansen, Joseph Kippes, and Jackson Zabojnik; great grandchildren: Michael Cavazos, Gabriel Hansen, and Nathaniel Hansen; siblings: Sybil Vanecek, Charles Gola, and Linda Naizer; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Helen was born in Taylor, Texas on February 2, 1939 to Charlie and Marcella Gola, the third daughter and third child out of five. Her dad immigrated from then Czechoslovakia and her mother was also of Czech descent. Her parents were farmers, and Helen grew up working the land and knew the value of hard work.

She attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Taylor, Texas, where she met her husband Fred, but they didn't start dating until after high school when she asked him to accompany her to the May Fete dance at the SPJST Hall. After high school, she attended nursing school and then married Fred in 1959 while he was a sophomore at Texas A&M. They lived in College Station and had their 2 oldest children there. After Fred graduated from Texas A&M in 1962, they were stationed in different US cities while he was in the Air Force, then settled in San Antonio in 1965, where they continued to grow their family to five children.

Texas A&M was a special place to her and her husband, and they loved going to Aggie football games as proud season ticket holders since 1978 when Jeff was in the Aggie Band. They also enjoyed watching just about every sport A&M competed in on TV.

To those who knew Helen, she always had a smile on her face and to her patients, she was one of the most dedicated and caring nurses for over 40 years, as evidenced by the many gifts given to her by patients over the years. She worked in several hospitals and spent 30 years working in the private sector for the same doctor.

She loved going to Port Aransas and Canyon Lake, and even water skied at 7 months pregnant at age 40. She was the strongest supporter of all her kids' and grandkids' activities, attending all of our band, choir, football and baseball games throughout the years – there was hardly one she missed. Needless to say, us kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids kept her busy.

Most importantly, she was our prayer warrior here on earth always saying Novenas for us and signing her cards "Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us." Now she'll be praying for us and watching over us in heaven.

Throughout Helen's entire life, she taught us about practicing our faith through service, prayer, and celebrating Mass.  She was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church for 58 years, a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Guadalupanas, she cleaned the church for many years every Friday, served with SAMMinistries, delivered Meals on Wheels, and loved helping fold bulletins and count money at the church with her friends.

Mom loved us so much that all she really wanted was for us to be happy. Mom always placed everyone ahead of herself. She was the first one up in the morning and the last to go to sleep. She was the most faithful woman we know, and while it will be hard to live life without her, we know she is rejoicing in heaven with Jeff and Marie and we will do our best to take care of one another and honor her the best we can.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Visitation will begin at 6:00pm

Rosary to be recited at 7:00pm

The Angelus Chapel

1119 N. St. Mary's St.

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Funeral Mass will be offered at 12:00pm

St. Thomas More Catholic Church

4411 Moana Dr.

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Flowers are welcome, but if you would like to donate to Helen's favorite charity,

"Helping Hands," through St. Thomas More Catholic Church,

it would be graciously received.