Jean C. Manning

Jean Carol Manning peacefully passed on March 14, 2026. Born June 26, 1952, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Kenneth and Patricia Schneck, Jean had an elder brother, and, eventually the six sisters that she helped raise. After high school, Jean hitchhiked coast to coast several times making great adventures and friends.

Settling down in Massachusetts, she adopted her first child with disabilities. She also met her husband with whom she shared the next 43 years until her passing. After moving to Maine in 1986, she adopted two brothers with special needs and set her eyes on improving the lives of families with special needs children.

From leading the effort to develop and implement a statewide home-based system of care for children and families in need to chairing the Maine Planning and Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities, she quietly but firmly educated institutions serving children, legislators debating laws and appropriations on children's issues, and state and local officials charged with overseeing programs for families and children.

For giving her talents and her voice to children and families in dire need; for providing the country with a model to follow; for being a constant resource for and friend to the children of Maine; and for being unafraid to chart new ground, Jean was awarded the 1991 Lewis Hine Award for Voluntary Service to Children and Youth.

Jean enjoyed playing cards and games with friends, reading books, attending concerts, hiking and just sitting by a campfire. She was also an outstanding chef.

Several people over the years claimed to have seen wings on Jean. We may have lost an Earth Angel, but heaven now has a wonderful addition. Love to you, Jean, and thanks for making the world better.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation.

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