Cara Mcmanus

CARA JOY McMANUS (nee Williams), age 36, avid cyclist who courageously battled lung cancer, died April 24, 2015 at the Cleveland Clinic surrounded by her loving family; beloved wife of Jeffrey; loving daughter of Joyce Williams and Trent Wyckoff; devoted granddaughter of Margie and the late Fred Lon Williams, Jr.; cherished niece of Jean Williams, Janet Hassfeld, Jeri Kinney and the late Joan Williams and William Bryant; treasured daughter-in-law of John and Pamela (nee Harrison) McManus; dearest sister-in-law of Jennifer and Christopher McManus; fond niece to many aunts and uncles on Jeffrey’s side of the family; dear cousin and friend of many. Cara is also survived by her feline companions Mitters and Eponine.

Cara was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. From childhood, she was a creative and artistic person with a keen sense of curiosity about the world around her. At Dublin Scioto High School, Cara was a proud member of the marching band in which she played the clarinet, an instrument she continued to enjoy playing into adulthood. In 2006, Cara and Jeff’s lives changed forever when the two, having originally become friends after meeting via an online game, fell in love and began a long distance relationship. After meeting Jeff, Cara began to ride a bicycle, and this sparked a life-long passion in her. Cara moved to Cleveland to be closer to Jeff in 2008; the two became engaged in 2010 and married in June 2011. In Cleveland, she became very active in the cycling community. Just weeks before being diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in August of 2013, Cara completed a two-day, 150-mile MS charity bike tour. Throughout her battle with cancer, Cara’s strength, determination and courage shone through all the more brightly. She continued to show her numerous talents in hobbies such as cooking and drawing, continued to work diligently as a test proctor at Case Western Reserve University, and continued to light up the lives of all those around her with her wit and spirit. She also was instrumental in founding the Breathe Deep Cleveland lung cancer charity walk/run, an event she continued to work on into the last weeks of her life. Cara will be remembered most as a determined, passionate, courageous and effervescent woman who brought great joy to everyone who was lucky enough to know her.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Cara’s memory to Breathe Deep Cleveland, lungevity.org/Cleveland.

Celebration of Life Service Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10 AM at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just east of Green Rd.). Graveside Service will take place at Union Cemetery in Columbus, OH at 2:45 PM on WEDNESDAY. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Cara at the FUNERAL HOME TUESDAY 3-5 and 6-8 PM.