Mary Jane N. Manning

Mary Jane Newland Manning died after a brief illness on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at her home at Aviva Baldwin Park in Staunton, Virginia.

Jane was born in Brevard, North Carolina, on November 2, 1931, to Charles L. and Nell Aiken Newland. She and her sister, Jody, grew up in Brevard, with a brief period in Indianapolis, Indiana, where their father was stationed during World War II.

Jane attended Agnes Scott College, graduated from Duke University in 1953, and earned a master's degree in nursing from Yale University. At Yale she met a medical student named Preston C. Manning, a fellow Southerner and a very lucky man. They married in 1956.

Over the next decade, Jane and Pres provided medical care to underserved communities in New York City; Crown Point, New Mexico; Winnebago, Nebraska; and Umuahia, Nigeria. Jane especially enjoyed her work with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York in East Harlem. They also lived for several years in Rochester, Minnesota, where Pres completed his medical training.

In 1965 Jane and Pres made Staunton, Virginia their home. Here they raised their three children, and Jane devoted herself to community life for over 50 years. She was an active member and later president of the Staunton Fine Arts Association, which operated a gallery and offered art classes in the Pump House at Gypsy Hill Park. In the 1990s, she served on the committee that selected artwork for the newly constructed Augusta Health hospital. Her love of visual arts also shaped her international travel, where she spent as many hours as she could exploring the world’s great museums.

Jane was also actively involved in helping the mentally ill population in Staunton, particularly those transitioning from Western State Hospital into the community. As co-leader of the Friendship Club, she helped organize twice-monthly gatherings that brought people together for meals, music, games, and fellowship. She later served on the board of Valley Supportive Housing, which developed housing for individuals with mental illness and other vulnerable populations. She volunteered at the local bloodmobile and Staunton’s free clinic and organized food drives for the local food bank.

Jane was an avid cook and gardener throughout her life. She was a longtime member of the Augusta Garden Club, where at various times she chaired Historic Garden Week, organized trips to the Philadelphia Flower Show, and served as president. She also served as vice president for Zone VII of the Garden Club of America.

Jane and Pres were devoted members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. They enjoyed many performances at the American Shakespeare Center, the Staunton Music Festival, and the Heifetz Institute. They were proud to live in Staunton and deeply grateful for their friends and community here.

Jane is survived by her children, Meredith, Preston, and Nell; her sister, Jody; two step-granddaughters; six nieces and nephews; and twelve great-nieces and great-nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Supportive Housing, P.O. Box 1907, Staunton, VA 24402.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Staunton.