Betty Blue McIlwee Manuel

Betty Blue McIlwee Manuel, age 79, of Winchester, VA, passed away Friday, October 21, 2011 at Winchester Medical Center. Mrs. Manuel was born in 1932, at her Aunt Ethel’s house on Amherst Street in Winchester, the daughter of the late Robert Edward McIlwee and the late Margaret Lucinda McIlwee Smith. She was the co-owner of Manuel’s Supermarket on Braddock Street in Winchester. She was a lifelong member of Gainesboro United Methodist Church, a member of the Little Garden Club of Winchester, and a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a graduate of Gainesboro High School, class of 1950.

She married Joseph Lovell Manuel in Hagerstown, MD on August 3, 1950. Mr. Manuel preceded her in death on October 24, 2005.

Surviving is her daughter Betty Jo (BJ) Manuel and her pillar of strength, Chadwick H. Massey of Winchester; a son, Ronald L. Manuel and wife Patricia Ruthann of Philadelphia, PA; two grandchildren, Joseph Manuel Doherty of Winchester and Maximillian Lovell Manuel of Philadelphia, PA, her God children, Ann Paull of Pittsburgh, PA and Elizabeth Woolaston of Inwood, WV; and her beloved cat and constant caregiver, Tiger.

Her brother, Bobby McIlwee and a grandson, Simon L. Manuel preceded her in death.

Betty Blue had a love of gardening, and was proud to be a member of The Little Garden Club of Winchester. Betty took great pride in displaying her flower specimens and was the winner of numerous horticultural awards. Her greatest achievement in the club was being awarded the coveted Virginia Boyd Barr Award, which recognized her outstanding service to the club.

Betty had a flair for fashion and always loved wearing her wonderful hats! She was fond of wearing hats to church as well as other special occasions. Her friends constantly teased her about her extensive shoe collection. She was never seen without an Angel pin, which she wore in honor of her late husband.

A walk on her farm was always a learning experience. She would point out plants and trees and would claim “I have no idea why or how I know this” but she knew them well; possibly a gift that her cousin Elizabeth Sundown, a Shawnee, had passed on to her. She was in tune with nature, and proudly dubbed herself a “tree hugger”. Betty stayed very involved in the coming and goings of the farm until the end of her life.

Betty enjoyed restoring and decorating her Victorian home, Belvedere. Decorating and entertaining were things that Betty lived for and excelled at. She and her husband Joseph had many Apple Blossom parties and other special events at their home. She always wanted everyone to feel welcome and to enjoy themselves. Every Friday she would host a “soirée” for her dear cousins, Ann Whitacre and Susannah Godlove, enjoying old memories and creating new ones.

Betty loved all animals, and leaves behind her constant companion and caregiver, Tiger the Cat. Through the years, Betty shared her love with many cats, including Kurdy-Bell, Puff the Magic Dragon, Pretty Boy and of course Tiger, as well as her beloved Chow Gandy, many chickens and all of her cattle and farm animals.

Betty was devoted to her family and friends as well as her faith and church community at Gainesboro United Methodist Church. Betty was a lifelong member there and shared her considerable talents with the congregation.

Betty cared for her elderly family members as a young girl and continued that dedicated care for her mother as well as her husband though out their later years. She was a faithful servant to her friends and family and as they crossed over to eternity, she could always be found at their bedside.

She was indeed an angel of mercy and will be missed by many.

She was especially proud of her exceptional Grandchildren, Joseph Manuel Doherty and Maximillian Lovell Manuel.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at Gainesboro United Methodist Church with the Reverend William Withers officiating. Interment will be in the Gainesboro Cemetery.

Mrs. Manuel will lay in repose in the parlor of her home, Belvedere, where friends and family may call to pay their respects on Monday, October 24, from 6-9 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gainesboro Cemetery Fund, c/o Sidney Rodgers, 201 Chestnut Grove Road, Winchester, VA 22603.

Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.