Elsie Anne McManus, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on October 6, 2022, in Eureka at the age of 85. She was born on November 19, 1936 to Joseph and Evelyn Brazil in Ferndale. Elsie, along with her sister Lucille and brother Rich, grew up on the family’s dairy farm in Grizzly Bluff where she acquired a deep love of animals that remained throughout her life. She had many beloved pets including dogs, cats, birds and fish. Elsie attended Grizzly Bluff School and graduated from Ferndale Union High School in 1954.

Elsie married Jack McManus in 1955 and they started their family in Eureka. In the 1960s, the family moved to Ferndale, acquiring their own small farm on California Street. As primary caretaker of the farm, Elsie worked tirelessly to raise our own chickens, beef, and produce along with instructing her children on the hard work of keeping up a small farm and home. Along with all her other efforts, Elsie was a wonderful cook. Each day her children returned home, Elsie had prepared homemade baked goods along with dinner; her fried chicken, pies, and cinnamon rolls were the best. She was an avid gardener and loved growing flowers throughout her life. Elsie had a knack for gift giving and delighted her kids and grandkids with her whimsical and unique gifts on birthdays and Christmas.

Elsie will always be remembered for her tenacity and self-sufficiency. While she never drove a car, she didn’t let that stop her from doing what needed to be done for her family and herself. She went back to school after raising her family and worked two jobs: at Capital Business Machines during the day, and the Sheriff’s Department in the evenings. Elsie had a deep empathy for those less fortunate than herself. Without fear or judgement, and despite the concerns of her children, she always had a dollar, smile and a kind word for those she met along the way on the streets of Eureka. She gave whatever support she could to her large family, especially when someone was going through a hard time.

Her children will be forever indebted to her for instilling her ethics of hard work, honesty, and caring for others. While Elsie enjoyed and loved her children, her most cherished role in our family was that of grandmother and according to her grandchildren she was the best. Even though she had 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, she always acknowledged their birthdays and special occasions. There are no words to describe the loss of this dear woman to her family, as she was our rock and the glue that binds us together.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Evelyn Brazil, her brother Richard Brazil, the father of her children Jack McManus, her infant son Patrick McManus, and her beloved son John McManus.

Elsie is survived by her sister Lucille Uldrick; sisters-in-law Mary Brazil and Marah McManus, daughters Ellie and husband Bill Bustin, Maureen Lichtenwalter, Cindy and husband Ken Dunn; son Joe McManus; and step daughter Kathleen Meredith; grandchildren Kenneth, Leslie, Geoff, Daniel, Nicole, David, Sarah, Erin, Christopher, Jacob, and Johnny; her 14 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Eureka Rehabilitation and Wellness and Hospice of Humboldt for their care of Mom during the last six months. Elsie’s life will be celebrated in a private ceremony in November, with burial at Oceanview Cemetery. If you would like to make a donation in her memory please consider a local homeless shelter or Miranda’s Animal Rescue.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Elsie McManus’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.