Geraldine Condon McManus

Geraldine Condon McManus, 97, the matriarch of her family, died peacefully on Sunday, July 14, 2024. 

Geraldine (Jerry) was born on November 8, 1926, to William Frances Condon and Caroline Igoe Condon. She was predeceased in death by her parents, her husband, Terence Michael McManus, all of her siblings and 2 sons, Peter Condon and Thomas Joseph and one daughter, Geraldine Marie and her oldest grandson, Christopher Young. 

She grew up in Charleston, in the Hampton Park area of uptown. She enjoyed her childhood, as the youngest in the family, playing with her older siblings, cousins, and friends. She was a baptized member of Sacred Heart Church on King St. She attended Sacred Heart School then Bishop England High School, Ashley Hall, and Barry College in Miami Shores, FL. She majored in music, specifically singing (voice). After college graduation, she married her childhood sweetheart, Terence McManus. They bought one of the Army officers’ houses at 1722 Middle St. Sullivan’s Island and filled it with much love and 11 children. Terence and Jerry followed this important love maxim: God, country, and family. 

She went to mass as often as she could. Singing in the choir in Stella Maris church gave her much joy, especially for special occasions like weddings, funerals and family and friend gatherings. Besides being the family matriarch, she was a wife and mother, and a human being extraordinaire. She was a leader in so many aspects of her life. She was a valiant defender of the unborn and their mothers, being active in The Pro -life movement. She saw the need for a group to support mothers that choose to breastfeed their babies. She had not received any support with her 10th and 11th child. She researched and found a movement that started in Chicago a few years earlier, called La Leche League. She quickly found how to become a leader, and became the first leader in SC, consequently helping many mothers with their voice and choice to nurse their babies. Her dedication to helping women extended to the Catholic Women’s Association. Her interest in good health led to a business called Market America showing her ways to improve her health and strengthen her resolve to eat better for a healthier body. Her work through NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness) as well as her work with the Association for Learning Disabilities was significant. Through these organizations, she reached into so many homes, to give hope to children who were having difficulties in school, including several of her own. She not only opened her mouth and heart to sing God’s praises but used that gift to open her home to those in need, without thinking twice about it. She was an example of Jesus’s light in this world. She was active in her church, Stella Maris Catholic on Sullivans Island. She started a weekly prayer group, Servants of Jesus and was a leader in the Cursillo, Movement, whose goal is to:” MAKE a friend, BE a friend, BRING that friend to Christ’. She was a modern-day disciple, weaving God’s words into her daily life. 

She was a wonderful cook, (cooking healthy for the masses i.e.. her family) and even worked with Fr. Joe Roth when he served as pastor of Stella Maris Church as his cook for many years. When her children went to BEHS, she made her special minestrone soup once a month for the faculty, which was always a hit. She was always curious about everything including ways to improve herself. Her gracious manner was truly characteristic of her southern heritage, especially her Charleston home. Her children remember being taught how to sew (well, her girls), to drive, to pray, to cook, to reuse everything. She was way ahead of her time with recycling. Gardening was a hobby that got her outside, plus produced beautiful flowers and vegetables. She woke every day expecting it to be a great day, a day to live for God and others. Her smile and her positive outlook on life will be missed greatly. Her 11 children were her pride and joy, being very proud of each of them. These above words only give us a glimpse of Jerry McManus, who is now resting in her Savior’s arms, at peace, at last. 

She is survived by her sons, Terence Michael McManus, Jr. (Pat), Joseph William McManus (Beth), William Condon McManus and daughters, Mary Caroline Young (Bruce), Lucy Ann Burnet (John), Jeannie Francis Langley (Furman), Mary Theresa Dennis (Don) and Clare Condon Reuther (John). She will also be missed by her 28 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. 

The Wake will be held from 6:00-8:00pm (rosary at 6pm) on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivans Island, SC 29482, with Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens, 1308 Mathis Ferry Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pro-Life, prolifecharleston.org. or Crescent Hospice, 4401 Belle Oaks Dr. #105, North Charleston, SC 29405. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister- smith.com/. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.