Lorraine Mannering

Lorraine K. Mannering , 93, of Kerrville, TX McAllen, TX and San Francisco, CA passed from this life peacefully on October 15, 2013, at Trinity Mission in Comfort, TX with her family at her side.

Lorraine was born in San Francisco, CA on October 15, 1920. She was the daughter of Natale and Jennie Devincenzi Ungaretti. She grew up in her City by the Bay, where she met and married her beloved husband, Leslie Les I. Mannering on June 1, 1941.

She lived to serve and help others, and was a power house of energy, love, dedication and strength. Her petite 410 frame housed an inner stature of love that was felt by everyone she met. Her grace, humor and charm were her signature. She gave comfort and hope to those in need. She became a licensed insurance agent at 19, and was a pioneer, who forged the way for women in the professional arena. Her inner strength was tested when Les was sent overseas to serve in the United States Army in Aleutian Islands campaign during World War II. Her great faith in God sustained her and her insurance career kept her busy, until he returned home 33 months later. Lorraine said her dad taught her to be strong. He said, Why be afraid It keeps you from getting the job done.

Lorraine continued on her lifes journey, when she moved, with her husband, to Alamo, TX in 1945 and later to McAllen, where they owned Mannering Oldsmobile with their son L.J. Jerry Mannering. She also simultaneously operated her own insurance agency. After 51 years in the insurance business, Lorraine decided to retire and move to Kerrville to start a new life and be near her family. After years as a volunteer in various hospitals in McAllen, she continued her volunteer work in Kerrville for another 18 years. She was a past president of the former McAllen Municipal Hospital Auxiliary, now McAllen Medical Center. She was also past president of Rio Grande Regional Hospital Auxiliary and organized the first Hospital Gift Shop for McAllen Medical Center, where she served as manager of the gift shop. She was also Hospital Junior Volunteer Coordinator for two years. Lorraine was a past president of Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteers TAHV from 1989 to 1990. She was an active member of Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteers Board of Directors since 1967. Lorraine was an active volunteer at Peterson Regional Medical Center since 1994. She worked in Medical Records and the Gift Shop and was a member of the PRMC Auxiliary Board of Directors, where she served as parliamentarian for many years. She considered PRMC Auxiliary to be her family.

Lorraine vigorously competed in the Senior Olympics each year in Table Tennis, in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She won 19 gold medals and 8 silver medals, while competing against players, much younger than herself. She was an avid Scrabble player, both on the computer and with friends. She loved to travel to San Francisco for high school and family reunions and had been to Italy 3 times. Lorraine was also a former president of Our Lady of Sorrows Altar Society in McAllen, Texas, and managed the Used Clothing Store for the parish. She was president of the PTA and she was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. She loved reading, crossstitching and was an avid sports fan, loving football SF 49ers, baseball and the Spurs. She knitted caps for the babies at PRMC and baked cookies for neighbors and friends. She was a cancer survivor who dealt with the disease the same way she dealt with her everyday life, with faith, prayer, kindness and without fear.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Les, a baby daughter Lynne Marie, a brother Edward Ungaretti, and a grandson Christopher Charlton.

She is survived by her devoted son, Jerry and his wife Catharine of Comfort, a daughter Michelle Mannering and her husband Robert Cornet of Frederick, Maryland, one grandson, Lt. Col. Michael Charlton, M.D. and his wife Jenna of Boerne. One granddaughter, Kelly Drown of Amarillo, two great grandsons, Alex Charlton and Colton Drown and four great granddaughters, Amanda, Elizabeth, Meredith and Norah Charlton, two cousins Bobbie Yates and her husband Lee and Katy Devincenzi, three nieces Cheri Jahn and her husband Tom, and Caryn Steele and her husband Robert, who came all the way from San Francisco last week to say their goodbyes and Patsy Day and her husband Shelby.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Michael J. Rensch, the Staff and Auxiliary of Peterson Regional Medical Center, the staff of Trinity Mission Nursing and Rehab Center of Comfort and Ave Maria Hospice of Fredericksburg for their love, kindness and support during Lorraines brief illness. You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Peterson Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Kerrville, Texas Attention Judy, or to the charity of your choice.

A rosary and visitation will be held at Kerrville Funeral Home, 1221 Junction Highway, at 68 PM A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Notre Dame Catholic Church at the corner of Water St. and Washington St. in Kerrville on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 9:30 AM, with Father Gustavo Montanez officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. 830 8955111

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