Kathleen Finn Manion

Wellsville, NY - Kathleen Finn Manion, 91, formerly of 186 South Brooklyn Avenue passed away Sunday evening, (February 27, 2011) at Highland Health Care Center in Wellsville. She was born March 9, 1919 in Olean, the daughter of Charles Leo and Theresa Irene (Shaw) Finn. On June 7, 1941 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville, she married Gilbert Joseph Manion who predeceased November 1, 1992.

Kathleen had a love of theater and was proud to be one of the original Nancy Howe Players, performing in the first play at the Nancy Howe Auditorium, as an office attendant in "Wisdom Teeth" July 1, 1937. She was a 1936 graduate of Wellsville High School, a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, Catholic Women's Club, Bishop's Committee and the Lord's Housekeepers. She was first employed as a secretary for the Graham Insurance Agency in Wellsville and in 1961 became an executive secretary for the Sales Department of Worthington/Turbodyne Corporation, retiring in October of 1983.

She was a loving mother to her immediate and extended family, and is survived by her son, Patrick (Donna) Manion of Bow, NH, her daughter, Kathleen Ann Manion of Wellsville, three grandchildren, Maria (Sean) Casey and Theresa Manion both of Burbank, CA and John Manion of Bow, NH, two great-grandchildren, Helena and Gillian Casey, a sister, Rita Ayala of Levittown, NY as well as several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by a grandson, Michael Manion, four brothers, William, Joseph, Leo and Michael Finn and two sisters, Mary Bordonaro and infant sister, Josephine.

As a young child Kathleen displayed vitality for life as noted by the nuns in grade school who often stated, "She may be little but, Oh My!" In her later years "Kay" as many knew her, loved to tend to her beautiful flower gardens and enjoyed watching the birds at her bird feeder. Kathleen's family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the entire staff at Highland Health Care for the compassionate attention bestowed upon their mother.

Friends are invited to call in Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Friday, from 11:00 to 11:30 am at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday (February 4, 2011) at 12 noon in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Monsignor Vincent Becker as celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to the David A. Howe Public Library or to the Immaculate Conception School. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.