Mom fulfills dream of attending son's wedding before succumbing to cancer


Mary Ann Manning wasn’t going to let breast cancer steal away her dream of dancing with her son at his wedding.

So she bravely fought the disease even as it was ravaging her body, determined to fulfill that dream.

And on September 5th, with hardly a dry eye in the room, Manning rose out of her wheelchair and as the band played ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow,’ she danced with son Ryan at his reception.

Three days later she would lose her battle with cancer.

In an obituary the family published this week on Patch, they promised to carry on powered by the strength and courage of their mother.

“Love and support then and now will keep the family strong but it is the memory of Mary Ann that will push them forward and continue to make new memories. We will never forget your love and promise to keep you smiling and proud of all your achievements. May the rainbows follow you forever.”