Mary E. (Manning) Popa

Mary Ellen “Mare” (Manning) Popa, (nee: Haney), aged 83, of Lake County, Ohio passed away peacefully on August 9, 2025. She was born to the late Glen Haney Sr. and Gertrude (Foltz) Haney in Canton, Ohio in 1942, the sixth of nine children.

Mare raised her family in Willowick, Ohio, where she worked as a bank teller. She had an affinity for numbers, and could tell you the price of any item you asked her.

Later, she and her second husband, John Popa, were members of the American Legion Auxiliary, and attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Wickliffe.

Following John’s death, Mare, aka “Popa”, was a longtime resident of Van Gorder Manor Assisted Living in Willoughby, where she would frequently be found baking in the kitchen, or answering the phones with a chipper, “Van Gorder Manor!”. Mare loved taking the Laketran bus around town, and she enjoyed shopping at Marc’s, Aldi, and Gabe’s (where she could not resist a new dress or hat!). She regularly walked across the street to attend Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Mare enjoyed giving to others, and would share what little she had with everyone around her. Above all else though, she was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who enjoyed spending time with her family more than anything. She will be remembered for her enthusiastic, “Super!” whenever one of the kids shared an accomplishment with her. She will be dearly missed, as will her gifts of her famous chocolate-covered popcorn and Mentos mints!

Mare is survived by her sons, Ron (Denise) Manning, and Daniel (Birgit) Manning; her grandchildren Michael (Erin) Manning, Joey Manning, Kristy Manning, Megan (Justin) Sims, Jacob Manning, and “granddaughter” Tesa Land; her great-grandchildren Parker Manning, Christopher Manning, Jayce Manning, and Tyler Sims; and numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves her former husband, Dennis (Mary Hewitt) Manning.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her second husband, John Popa, her son Gregory, and eight siblings, Helen, Jim, Shirley, Bobbie, Glen, Judy, Fred and Patty. She was the last surviving sibling.

She will be laid to rest in Willoughby Memorial Gardens, following the 10:00 Mass at Immaculate Conception on Friday, September 19th, 2025. If attending, family requests that you wear something purple, to honor Mare by wearing her favorite color.