Eileen R. Manchester

     Eileen R. Manchester, 92, of Chillicothe, passed from this life on April 30, 2022, at home surrounded by family. 

     Surviving are her children Laura (Kevin), Doug (Joan), Lynda (Tony), Cinda (Rick), Steve (Theresa); grandchildren Matthew and Lindsey, Nick, Peter, and Wil, Doug Jr., and Nate; and seven great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband James, on April 10, 2004 after 52 years of marriage, her brother Richard Snell, cousins Betty (Stevens) and William Stevens and grandson, Justin.

     Eileen was born on October 3, 1929 to George and Mildred (Stevens) Snell in Madeira, Ohio, the older of two children.  After graduating from Madeira High School, she studied nursing at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in 1950.  Eileen went on to work at The Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus as a registered nurse where she met Dr. James Manchester whom she married on November 1st, 1952.  In 1957 they moved their family to Chillicothe and this become their community.

In 1978, after raising her family, Eileen returned to her calling as a nurse at Adena Regional Medical Center, refreshing her nursing skills to give care and comfort to those who were ill, retiring in 1988.

     As a devoted wife and mother, she shared with her family her love of nature and the outdoors, teaching them about flowers and animals while they were growing up and spending time on the family farm.  Her love of flowers is on display at the family home where she lived for 52 years.  She was a life-long Girl Scout, staying active as a troop leader and co-camp director at Camp Davila during the summers.  As a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and was a member of the Susan Henry Circle.  Furthermore, Eileen was involved with the Walk to Emmaus ministry, and loved representing Trinity at the United Methodist General Conference at Lakeside.  She spent so many hours cooking in the kitchen for church dinners, Red Cross blood drives and other church functions that she was part of the design team when the kitchen was remodeled.  Eileen also spent many years as a precinct chairwoman for the Ross County Board of Elections.  She was a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Reds, and sometimes the Bengals, and attended Ohio State Buckeye games (including the infamous 1950 Snow Bowl) with Jim every fall for many years.  She had fond memories of holidays with friends in Hawaii, the Grand Cayman Island, Alaska, Canada, but especially of many summers spent at Holden Beach, NC.  In her final years, she was surrounded by stacks of mystery novels and cookbooks, and supported her children with prayer and encouragement.

     Eileen had an incredibly generous spirit that touched many people around the world.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends, but her faith has finally been made sight and she is with her Savior.

     The family wishes to thank our mother’s caregivers, Sarilda, MacKenzie, Kelly, Courtney and Kim W.; the Adena Hospice Group, especially Emily; and many dear friends including Kim H., Carolyn, and Kay.

     Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2022 in the WARE FUNERAL HOME with Pastor Euggle Robertson and Pastor Kurt King officiating.  Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery.  Friends may call at the WARE FUNERAL HOME from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. 

     You may sign her online register at www.warefh.com  

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