Ernestine F.

Manzo

Our dear Ernestine left us too soon on December 30, 2017. We knew her as a sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, friend, and colleague. There was nothing Ernestine would not do for us, since she always gave of herself generously and selflessly.

Ernestine was predeceased by her mother Rosa Manzo, her father Dominic Manzo and her brother Angelo Manzo. She is survived by her sister Lena Manzo, niece Patricia Massood, nephews Mark, Matthew and Paul Manzo, as well as her great nieces and nephews Eli, Nicole, Ema, Nick, Kathryn and Luke.

Whether she was seeing to the needs of her beloved parents and sister, or preparing Easter baskets for her niece and nephews, she filled the room with her joy of living, her laughing brown eyes, and her graceful way of dancing through our lives. Ernestine had a natural way of moving, whether on the dance floor, at Palisades Amusement Park on all the rides, or on a mountain ski slope where she carved her way from hill to hill. She imbued a love of skiing, travel, and giving throughout her life in all who knew her, especially her niece and nephews.

Whether at a wedding, at a party, or at an art fair, she found ways to share her joy of living. Only last summer, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, she encouraged a group of young children to feel the beat of a jazz band by dancing with her. On the slopes of Austria, she taught her brother's children to fly down steep hills with the wind in their hair. People remarked how lucky they were to have an aunt like Ernestine. And their Uncle Brann knew from family parties what a wonderful dance partner she was. There was no new dance she did not learn quickly, with ease, and enviable grace.

Ernestine's colleagues, too, experienced her generous nature at the airline companies where she worked. Always patient and always kind, she fulfilled so many demands that people could never figure out how one person could do so much so gracefully.

Most recently, Ernestine's kindness was evident in her work as a volunteer at Holy Name Medical Center, as well as a member of the choir at Our Lady of Grace Church. She also found much joy in tending to her garden, and always looked forward to seeing former colleagues at the many airline association events she attended.

Her families, the Manzos and the Wrys, will miss her so much. At a recent Thanksgiving celebration she told us, "This is the most fun I have had in a long time."

We will always remember that about her. On any day, and in any way she spread immeasurable joy among us. She was an example to all of us of how a great human being should live.

Open, Selfless, Joyful.

We have the comfort of knowing she waits for us in heaven.