Obituary of Sharon Yvonne McManus

McManus, Sharon Yvonne (Stephens) Age 80 Passed away in her home in Post Falls, ID, on February 13, 2022 after several years of battling back from many surgeries, illnesses, and strokes. Bearing her crosses with patience and grace, her final week was spent encircled by her 12 children lifting her up in prayer and surrounding her with love. Sharon was born in Newberry, MI, on November 4, 1941, to Cyril Bruce and Mary Emma (Perrier) Stephens. After relocating to Kalamazoo, MI, at age 14, she met and married her high school sweetheart, Michael Emmett McManus on June 16, 1960. They relocated to Tucson, AZ in 1979, Santa Fe, NM in 1988, and the Inland Northwest in 1990. Sharon was passionately involved in politics, wrote numerous letters to the editor, and was actively involved in advocating for the rights of her children in front of the schoolboard. A pioneer of homeschooling, when appropriate, Sharon always had the best interests of her children at heart (especially spiritual). She was self-taught in the arts of canning, sewing, needlework, and home-remedies and her home library reflects this. Sharon was an avid reader in her unquenchable thirst for a deeper understanding and love of her Catholic Faith, which was at the epicenter of everything she said and did. Sharon is survived by her 12 children; Lissa (Michael) McLain, Sean (Debra) McManus, Suzette (Michael) Lutes, Kathleen (Peter) Haynos, Stephen (Moira) McManus, Christopher (Lori) McManus, August McManus, Peter (Sarah) McManus, Erin (Michael) Blackburn, Paul (Leanna) McManus, Ann (Michael) Kern, and Mishon McManus; 60 grandchildren and 18 great- grandchildren. She is also survived by two siblings, Janet Wehner and Robert Stephens, countless nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings: Ronald Stephens, Jerry Stephens, and Matthew Stephens, and her beloved husband of 50+ years, Michael McManus (2011). Memorials of flowers or donations can be sent in c/o Erin Blackburn, 911 N Nellie Ct., Post Falls, ID 83854. Please sign Sharon’s guest registry and view her online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.