Honorable Ann (Aherne) McManamon

Ann McManamon, nee Aherne, 97, died peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, April 30, 2022, at her home in Wilmington.

Ann was born in San Francisco, California, on November 27, 1924. Her late father, Leo Patrick Aherne, was an Irish immigrant. Her late mother, Griselda Aherne, nee Kobe, was a Minnesota native and the daughter of a mother born in a covered wagon. Ann was predeceased by her husband of almost 70 years, Joseph McManamon, and her brother, John Aherne. She is survived by her three children, Penelope (Penny) Fatora (Dave) (Dayton, Ohio), Thomas McManamon (Leslie) (Dublin, Ohio), and Prof. Mary Brigid McManamon of Widener University Delaware Law School (Wilmington). She also has seven surviving grandchildren, including Joseph McManamon-Simon and Siobhan McManamon, twelve great-grandchildren, and eleven nieces and nephews.

Ann had a long career in public service. Her first elected role was as student body president at her high school. After being graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, she married Joe and moved with him to Cleveland, Ohio. She worked various jobs while going to law school with him. She and Joe then opened the law firm of McManamon and McManamon. She left the firm upon being elected to the Cleveland Municipal Court in 1973. She went on to become a judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, and retired finally from the 8th District Court of Appeals in 1993. Her recognition of the importance of electing Carl Stokes as Mayor of Cleveland, the first African-American mayor of a major American city led her to volunteer for his successful campaign, and the Mayor recognized the importance of her contributions. Two of her proudest moments were meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and having Vice President Hubert Humphrey recognize her in a crowd when he stopped in Cleveland.

Shortly after retirement from the bench, Ann moved to Pensacola, Florida, with her beloved Joe, where they lived until 2006. Feeling the need to be closer to family they  moved to Wilmington. Ann made numerous friends here, including parishioners of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, classmates at Osher Life Long Learning Institute, and her beloved aerobic swim group, nicknamed the Aqua Divas.

Ann had two hobbies which she enjoyed until arthritis made them too painful: golf and sewing.  She was talented at both. As to sewing, she mastered Vogue patterns; Simplicity patterns were a piece of cake for her.

The viewing will be held Friday, May 13, 2022, from 9:30-10:30AM at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 6th and Pine Streets, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. At that time, Ann’s friends and family will have the opportunity to make remarks of remembrance. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM. Burial will be at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery. In light of increasing hospitalizations due to COVID, the family asks that those who attend wear masks. In addition, there will not be the traditional lunch due to the continuing pandemic.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ann may be made to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church or the Ministry of Caring, 115 E. 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

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