Obituary of Josephine S. McManus

McMANUS JOSEPHINE S. Of Stanton Heights went to her eternal reward on Saturday, August 6, 2016, at age 90. She was the beloved wife of the late Edward P. McManus; and the devoted mother of Edward (Vivian), Dennis (Marji) and Margaret McManus and Karen Schramm (Eric). She was the proud and much loved grandmother of Maura, Julia and Molly McManus and Scott and Maggie Schramm. A native of Lawrenceville, Josephine was a graduate of Saint Augustine High School. She began her career at John Sexton & Company where she served as steward of the union and - after raising her four children - completed her working days in the credit department at Sears & Roebuck. If you could resist Jo's suggestions on how to pay off your terribly overdue Sears credit card, they wrote off the debt but she never shared that bit of information and managed to get most to pay something. Throughout her life, Josephine epitomized the qualities of a true servant-leader. While her children were younger, she organized the Juniorettes group for the girls of Saint Kieran Grade and the school's participation in the Saint Patrick's Day Parades. She also supervised a group of Stanton Heights children in holding neighborhood carnivals to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She was the driving force for several decades in running the "Irish Booth" at Saint Kieran and Saint Matthew parish bazaars and served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist for her parish. Her son Edward attended Saint Fidelis Seminary, so she became one of their leading fundraisers - selling raffle tickets to benefit the Capuchins for over four decades. Her son Dennis attended Central Catholic, so she became President of the Central Catholic Mother's Guild and was elected as an Honorary Member of the Central Catholic Forensic Society for her service to the speech and debate team. Josephine was an active member of the Christian Mothers Guild and, for nearly 70 years, a dedicated promoter of the Miraculous Medal. Josephine served for 27 years as Judge of Election at Sunnyside School for the largest voting district in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She also voted in every primary and general election since becoming eligible except for the last primary when she was incapacitated. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Margaret (Costello) Stierer; and her sister, Mary Rita Stierer. Friends received at McCABE BROS., INC. FUNERAL HOME, www.mccabebrothers.com, 6214 Walnut Street, Shadyside on Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., where Funeral will commence on Thursday at 9 a.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial in St. Raphael Church at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Anna Seethaler Hospital TASH, Inc., 9448 Babcock Blvd., Allison Park, PA 15101.