Obituary of Vicki Lynn Manning

Vicki Lynn Manning was born to Jack and Verneita Manning in Portland, Oregon on May 21, 1953. She passed away on May 16, 2023 due to complications from a stroke she suffered on April 25, 2023. Vicki bravely fought Parkinson's Disease after being diagnosed in 2015.

Vicki graduated from Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, Oregon and earned a Bachelor's degree in Music from Portland State University before moving to New York City in 1988 where she studied vocal music at The Manhattan School of Music.

She loved to share her singing with everyone and had a rich mezzo soprano voice. She participated in the Santa Fe Opera Company Apprentice Program and was a popular recitalist. Vicki was a professional singer who loved classical vocal music as well as all types of singing. Her career was primarily in New York City. In addition to singing at various churches, including Riverside Church, Judson Baptist and Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian of Brooklyn, Vicki was employed at The National Council of Churches and more recently for Common Cause, a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. She retired in 2014.

Vicki was a compassionate and generous person who loved to engage with her friends, cooking, meeting for dinner or drinks, attending theatre and concerts and anything involving music. She loved cats and roses and had some lovely rose gardens.

Vicki is survived by her sister Sue Willis and brother-in-law Mark Willis; nieces Nina Willis, Marissa Willis, Heather Vitello and Brandi Moon; nephew Dennie Young. Vicki was preceded in death by her parents and sister Crystal Walter.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held June 17, 2023 at 11am at St. James Lutheran Church, 1315 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201. A reception and remembrances will follow in the Pioneer Chapel.

The family requests that memorial gifts be made to the following in Vicki's name: The Parkinson's Resources of Oregon www.parkinsonsresources.org/get involved/ways-to-give/

Oregon Humane Society www.oregonhumane.org/donate Cascade Chapter NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Bel Canto Art Song Award - www.natscascade.org/donate