Juanita Manley

Juanita Ann Manley passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, on September 14, 2017.  She was 87.  Juanita was born in Eugene, Oregon to David E. and Clara May Skirvin in 1930.   

In her early years, Juanita was an avid ice skater — teaching and performing with the Eugene Figure Skating Club at the old Eugene Ice Arena where she met her future husband, Malcolm E. Manley.  They were married in 1948.  While he was stationed in Germany in 1953, she rented a room with a local family and they explored Europe in a Porsche.  

Throughout her adult life, she was a strong and vibrant member of the Eugene gardening community.  Her passion for plants lead her to acquire expertise in horticulture, propagation, cultivation, and design, among other things.  She generously shared of her knowledge as teacher, friend and mentor to those around her.  She was active in the Eugene Garden Club for nearly 50 years, and was in the first graduating class of Master Gardeners in 1976.  She was a 4-H leader, Flower Show Judge, horticulture instructor for flower show training programs, and, for several years, superintendent of the Lane County Fair Floral Department.  She was also instrumental in forming the Willamette Arranger’s Guild and active in other groups, including the Hardy Plant Society and the Native Plant Society.  She worked for several years at Greer Gardens.

Juanita had the good fortune of health and a full summer in her garden before being diagnosed with cancer just two weeks prior to her death.

Juanita Manley

- Born February 22, 1930

- Wife, mother, grandmother, adventurer,    Master Gardener, plant-lover, ice skater

- Passed away on September 14, 2017

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