Josephine Elayne McManigle died peacefully on Sunday (April 7, 2013) after battling the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease for many years.
Elayne was born on May 8, 1927, in Emporium, the third of eight children of John and Miriam (Cooper) McManigle. Despite a rather hardscrabble upbringing, she, her sisters and brothers; Jean, John “Mickey”, Virginia “Ginny”, Phyllis, Maxine “Beansie”, David “Bugs” and Judy, shared many fond memories of their childhood and the enjoyable times spent together as they raised their families. They were deeply saddened by David’s death in 2011.
Four McManigle sisters, Elayne, Ginny, Phyllis and Maxine, claimed the distinction of being Red Raider cheerleaders together prior to Elayne’s graduation from Emporium High School in 1945. She was also proud of working at Sylvania, while in high school, making critical military radio components during WWII.
After the war, Elayne met Jack Burfield, a returning Air Corps pilot, whom she married in February, 1947. They had their first three children; Tim, Bev and Terry, while Jack was attending Penn State and completed their family with the arrival of Jacci, Barb and Brian after they moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1953. While being a “full-time mom” filled Elayne’s early years, she later enjoyed working at St. Joseph’s Hospital as her children got older.
Following Jack’s sudden death in 1977, she returned to Emporium to raise her two youngest children. It was there that she met Joe Fragale, a local businessman, whom she married in 1982.
She and Joe traveled extensively, spent the “growing season” in Emporium as he tended his garden and escaped the cold winters in Marco Island, Florida. They eventually moved to Marco where Joe spent much of his time fishing and Elayne took to the tennis courts. She proudly displayed the trophy proclaiming her a “1994 Ladies League Doubles Champion for the Marco Y” and noted she was,”playing against women half my age!”
After Joe’s passing in 2000, Elayne relocated to Maryland to live near her three daughters and son, Terry. She was heartbroken by the unexpected loss of Terry in 2011.
As her Parkinson’s symptoms progressed over the last decade, Elayne was lovingly cared for at home by her devoted daughter, Jacci, where they were both entertained and protected by their “little” dog, Clancy.
Throughout her later life, Elayne’s most enjoyable times were spent as the loving and spirited “Nana” to her 13 grandchildren and, more recently, eight great-grandchildren. Whether having fun at the beach in Marco Island or Ocean City, attending graduations or weddings, traveling to interesting places or having a summer deck party at the Smith’s pool, she was the center of their good times and affection.
Elayne’s life was enriched by her surviving in-laws and cherished extended family including: Larry Pope, Ralph Mongillo, Sarah McManigle, Harry Smith, Monte Nash, Sandy, Jo Ann, LuAnn and Kristen Burfield; her aunts, Dorothy Smith and Annabelle Cooper; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. She will especially be missed by her devoted niece, Tish Sullivan Hild and her family, who affectionately visited “Nana” often and always with a home cooked dish or her favorite apple dumpling dessert.
There will be No Visitation
. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be Celebrated at St. Mark Catholic Church, 235 East Fourth Street, Emporium, PA on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Paul S. Siebert, Pastor, as Celebrant.
Burial will be in the St. Mark Catholic Cemetery, Emporium, PA
Memorials may be made in her honor to St. Mark Church, 235 E. Fourth St, Emporium, PA 15834.
BARNETT FUNERAL HOME, Inc. entrusted with arrangements.
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