[NEohioPAL] Mary McManaway

[Marci Lynn Saling]

Mary McManaway, founder of the North Canton Playhouse and Spotlight on Youth meant a lot in the NEO theatre Community. I wanted to make sure I let you all know that sadly she passed away this past Sunday evening. Below is her obituary, which includes service information for all of her many family and friends. 

Mary McManaway passed away after an extended illness on March 16, 2014. She was 78 years old, and is survived by her daughters Kathy, Tammy (son-in-law David), Gina, Lisa (son-in-law Ted), her son Cliff, her grandchildren Matthew, Mitchell, Dana, Nicole and Kailey, her sister Patty Andelmo (brother-in-law Don), and her brother Joe Spatafore (sister-in-law Gale) and her loving pets. She was preceded by her husband Leonard. 

Mary was a passionate supporter of the Arts for most of her life, and founded the North Canton Playhouse in 1976, where she served as Artistic Director. She directed numerous productions, and encouraged a love of the Arts in a countless number people. But more than that, she was a mentor and mom to many, “adopting” sons and daughters along the way. Due to Mary’s introductions throughout the years, she is responsible for life long friendships and even some marriages. 

She was also an ardent advocate of animal rights, founding the Coalition for Animal Concerns. Mary found many people the perfect pet to enrich their lives. She helped pet owners to spay and neuter their pets through the many low cost spay/neuter clinics the Coalition funded. 

Mary was acknowledged to be one of Stark County’s “Greatest Citizens” when she was inducted into the Stark County Wall of Fame in 2002. Mary touched countless lives through her community work in so many other areas that are too numerous to mention here. Although she will be missed dearly by her friends and loved ones, she better than anyone else understood that “the show must go on.”

Mary’s many friends and family are invited to a Memorial service and Celebration of her life to be held on Sunday, March 23, at 3:00pm at the Hoover Hall of Performing Arts, inside Hoover High School, at 525 – 7th St. NE, North Canton, OH 44720.  In lieu of flowers, it was Mary’s wish to have donations made in her name to the North Canton Playhouse, or to the Coalition for Animal Concerns, and mail to: North Canton Playhouse, ATTN: Mary McManaway Memorial Fund, 525 – 7th St. NE, North Canton, OH 44720.
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