Suffield Obituary: Barbara Mannix, 82

Barbara Ann Mannix, 82, of West Granby, beloved wife for 59 years of John Michael Mannix who died on June 17, 2014, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 6, 2015 surrounded by her family at her home.

Barbara was born in Holyoke, MA on April 9, 1933 to the late Norman and Lillian (Barthlette) Senecal. She was raised in Holyoke, MA and was a graduate of Holyoke High School. John was born in Springfield, MA on September 3, 1930 to the late Thomas and Mary “Molly” (Evans) Mannix. He was raised in Springfield and graduated from the Classical Magnet School in Springfield. After high school he continued his education to become a licensed electrician.

Barbara and John met for the first time at the Roseland Ballroom in Holyoke and John convinced Barbara that his name was Dennis O’Flaherty. After meeting her parents, he told her his real name and the young couple fell in love. John enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1955. He knew that he and Barbara would get married when he returned from the service and he sent Dresden figurines and other treasures from across Europe to his mother to hold as a gift for his soon to be fiancé. John returned home in January, 1955 and they were married on July 2, 1955.

John went back to work as an electrician with the IBEW Local #7 and taught new tradesman the profession and helped them with their certification and testing. Barbara worked as an executive secretary at Charles Belsky & Sons in Holyoke, MA before leaving to raise her five children. Barbara and John lived in Springfield, MA and worked hard to build a new home in West Suffield on Congamond Lake. They later built a winter home in Marco Island, FL and enjoyed many years there after their retirement.

Barbara volunteered at her children’s schools in the Parent Teacher Association and John taught his children to ski. They both loved music and their children fondly remember the simple pleasure of Barbara singing in the kitchen while John accompanied her on the harmonica or ukulele. Barbara always looked forward to going to the YMCA with the “lunch bunch” and during her retirement in Florida, she loved volunteering at the Naples Hospital. Barbara and John were both totally dedicated to their family and did everything together.

They leave two sons, Michael John Mannix of Newington and John “Jack” Michael Mannix and his fiancé Mary Mirasolo of Derry, NH; two daughters, Karen Tilson and her husband Tom of South Hamilton, MA and Marlene M. Mannix and her companion Kevin Mahon of West Granby; Barbara’s sister, Joyce Niedzialkowski and her husband Jim of Southwick, MA; and six grandchildren, Courtney, Molly, Ryan, Sarah, Allison Mannix, and Morgan Tilson. They were predeceased by a son, Daniel John Mannix; a daughter-in-law, Donna (Ward) Mannix; Barbara’s brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Marie Senecal; and John’s two brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Clare Mannix and Thomas and Kathleen “Kit” Mannix.

Their family will receive friends on Saturday, December 12, 9-10:45 a.m., followed by a prayer service at 10:45 a.m., at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St., Granby. Burial will follow in Granby Cemetery, Granby.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Farmington Valley VNA, Attn: Hospice, 8 Old Mill Lane, Simsbury, CT 06070.

See more at www.carmonfuneralhome.com.