Joyce Gertrude (Short) MANCHESTER

MANCHESTER, SHORT, GIGUERE, DALE, HARDY, STAFFEL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/29/2015 at 15:05:59

In Memory of Joyce Gertrude Manchester
April 10, 1916 --- July 15, 2015

Joyce Manchester, 99, of Fort Collins, CO. died Tuesday, July 15, 2015. She had been a resident of Kansas City since 2011, due to health issues and family in Kansas City.

Joyce was born April 10, 1916 to Delmar and Claudia Short in Vincent, Iowa. The family grew with the birth of a daughter, Norma in July 1921. They moved to Storm Lake, Iowa in 1925, where she thoroughly enjoyed her school years. She got good grades without too much effort and participated in intramural sports. After high school, she attended Buena Vista College and soon met Bill Manchester which began a life together for 61 years. They were married in Chicago, IL. In 1936 and a son, Bill was born in 1937, followed by a daughter, Kathy, in 1945.

Joyce had a wide variety of interests in Chicago. Joyce and Bill loved exploring the city together, including dancing once a week at the Aragon Ballroom which was a favorite, though the best, was Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. She also boasted an 80 year old love affair with the Cubs that never faltered.

Mr. Manchester was transferred to Ames, Iowa in 1955. This was about the time Joyce became an avid bridge player which has been a life-long passion. When son Bill graduated from college and Kathy was in junior high, Joyce decided to go to work. What started as a proofreader at the local newspaper in 1959, over time, became a full career for 23 years, culminating in her own weekly column called "Small Talk" until 1982. She was a voracious reader all her life and commented not long ago that she was never lonely while she had her books.

In 1982, Bill Sr. and Joyce, having retired, decided to move from Ames to Fort Collins, CO to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Those years became a joy, watching them grow and participating in their lives. They also traveled extensively to 50 states and made many weekly trips covering the state of Colorado.

Survivors include: a son, Bill Manchester and wife, Katie; three grandchildren, Molly and husband Michael Giguere; Christopher and wife, Erin Dale; Brian and wife, Meredith Dale; six great grandchildren: Jordan, Logan and Caleb Hardy, Madison and Connor Giguere; baby Lina-Bird Dale; niece, Claudia Staffel and family; nephew, Tim Staffel and wife, Colleen and family. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, sister Norma; grandson Stephen Manchester; infant granddaughter, Amber Dawn Dale; son-in-law Curt Dale; and daughter Kathy Dale. Despite her tragic losses, Joyce would be the first to tell you that she had a wonderful life.

A special note to thanks to Connie Rykowski, who was not only a friend, but a dedicated caregiver for Joyce, her mother, Claudia and husband, Bill in their years of need. Also, a fond salute to the Winslow's management and residents for the many fond memories Joyce had, while continuing to live independently, meeting new friends and especially, her 95th Birthday. Joyce had many special friends over the years, but Kay Gayton stands out as Joyce always cited Kay "as one of the top five blessings in her life." Joyce Manchester has donated her body to the Kansas University of Medicine. A private memorial will be held at a later date in Denver, Colorado. You will be missed.