Obituary for Aranetta Marie Manley
Age 77, from Idaho; born and raised in Pittsburgh, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2020, with her family by her side. Beloved wife of Jerold Manley for 53 years. Loving mother of Lynnette Nieberger (Troy), Deanna Manley, and Heather Manley. Proud WaWa of Bryce Nieberger, Chad Nieberger (Haileigh), Ty Nieberger (Miranda), Zachary Manley, and Maggie Manley; treasured daughter of the late George and Jacqueline Rech; cherished by Lily, Buddy, Farley, Hugo, Zoe, Meeko, Piglet, Pooh Bear; reunited over the Rainbow Bridge with Peppy, Funny Face, Mittens, Cuddles, Faille, Misha, Squeekers, Paris, Pas de Chat, Scootie, Chester, Mojo, Rosie, Norman and Shadow. She is also greatly missed by her extended dance family and life-long friends.
Aranetta’s life was all about dance, family, and her pets. Her passion for dance lasted over 75 years. She owned and operated Academy of Dance and Movement for 15 years. Her students have won numerous First Place awards in National Competitions. Her training began at the Pittsburgh Playhouse School of Theatre and continued at the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto. She also trained at the June Taylor School and Robert Joffery’s School in New York City. Aranetta was a dancer at Ballet Arts, the forerunner to the American Ballet Theatre. One of her favorite tours was “Stop the World … I Want to Get Off!” where she met her husband Jerry.
Aranetta, fondly known as WaWa to her family, loved to travel and spend vacations together. She achieved her Bucket List by visiting all 50 states and journeyed many times to Disneyland and Disney World. She cared for her pets and grandpets with unconditional love and devotion.
As per her wishes, in lieu of flowers please donate to the Miss Aranetta Memorial Scholarship. Her family set the scholarship up to assist a graduating student at Studio Bleu with college tuition. All money is tax deductible collected by: Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, 2940 Hunter Mill Road, Suite 201, Oakton VA 22124 (memo on check: Miss Aranetta Memorial Scholarship) or visit https://www.cfnova.org/scholarships/other-scholarships/miss-aranetta.
Friends and Family are welcome at 2630 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont, 412-531-4000 on Saturday 10AM-12:30PM, where a service of remembrance will be held Saturday at 12:30PM. A Blessing Service will then be held at 1:30PM at Jefferson Memorial Park, 401 Curry Hollow Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236.
Aranetta’s life was all about dance, family, and her pets. Her passion for dance lasted over 75 years. She owned and operated Academy of Dance and Movement for 15 years. Her students have won numerous First Place awards in National Competitions. Her training began at the Pittsburgh Playhouse School of Theatre and continued at the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto. She also trained at the June Taylor School and Robert Joffery’s School in New York City. Aranetta was a dancer at Ballet Arts, the forerunner to the American Ballet Theatre. One of her favorite tours was “Stop the World … I Want to Get Off!” where she met her husband Jerry.
Aranetta, fondly known as WaWa to her family, loved to travel and spend vacations together. She achieved her Bucket List by visiting all 50 states and journeyed many times to Disneyland and Disney World. She cared for her pets and grandpets with unconditional love and devotion.
As per her wishes, in lieu of flowers please donate to the Miss Aranetta Memorial Scholarship. Her family set the scholarship up to assist a graduating student at Studio Bleu with college tuition. All money is tax deductible collected by: Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, 2940 Hunter Mill Road, Suite 201, Oakton VA 22124 (memo on check: Miss Aranetta Memorial Scholarship) or visit https://www.cfnova.org/scholarships/other-scholarships/miss-aranetta.
Friends and Family are welcome at 2630 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont, 412-531-4000 on Saturday 10AM-12:30PM, where a service of remembrance will be held Saturday at 12:30PM. A Blessing Service will then be held at 1:30PM at Jefferson Memorial Park, 401 Curry Hollow Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236.