Arrangements for the funeral of Owen Manning
Tuesday 26th May 2020 1.30pm
Worcester Crematorium
Owen’s family will be attending a ceremony at Worcester Crematorium on 26th May to say goodbye to him.
Sadly due to the current coronavirus pandemic funerals are being limited to close family members only in a crematorium, so the service is restricted.
A live webcast of the service will be available.
26th May 1.30pm www.obitus.com
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Before Tuesday 26th, please log on to the website to test the service on your computer.
Family flowers only please. If you would like to make a donation in Owen’s memory, please support The Woodland Trust
Owen’s family will be arranging a memorial for Owen at a later date, and will make the details known when they are able to.
Owen’s family welcome any tributes, words of remembrance and stories about him so do feel free to leave any messages at the bottom of this webpage. (Please note comments are moderated so do not go live immediately)
Owen Manning
Some memories from happier times
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Owen was a lovely kind, friendly gentleman who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Owen was a good listener and had a good sense of humor. I like the way he and his son interacted.
When we chatted on the phone I was laughing non stop. Even though we never met in person I feel like I know through his son and the conversation we had. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and those whose life he touched. I pray that his family will find comfort and peace knowing that he’s no longer suffering.
Sad to hear about Owen. He was a likeable, knowledgeable, amusing, musical individual. Wonder if he is still playing his harp!
Owen loved to come and sing with Vocal Variations and we all got the impression that he had a sweet tooth as he thoroughly enjoyed indulging in the cakes brought by members at the end of the afternoon sessions. He will be sadly missed by us all.
Owen helped Malvern Community Forest design the Prospect Surgery community woodland, whilst I was chair of MCF. Sincere and humorous at all times. I used to refer to Owen as the internationally renowned landscape planner – he quite liked that.
Owen’s love of music-making was inspirational. Several times I played the flute or whistle alongside him playing the harp, which was good fun, even if we occasionally seemed to be in slightly different keys! He once sang at an open folk music session in Suffolk hosted by the band I was in. It was the first time a singer had taken part, and it helped open the door for songs to become a regular feature of the band’s performances.
Alongside music, Owens’ love of reading and creative writing was shared by other members of the Manning family, past and present. He sent me what he called “wise thoughts”, which I found helpful in inspiring and guiding my own writing. He once said that “confidence is the key to everything”. He was referring here to writing, but on reflection I think the comment applied to everything he did.
Owen was a great believer in making the most out of life and encouraging others to do likewise. I too will miss him a lot.
Owen was, for many years a member of “Poetry Please” a U3A group. He was a delightful member and always brought a little extra something to our meetings. His main contribution was that he often sang his poems rather than read or recited them and was always rewarded with a round of applause.
He had a fine voice and obviously a great wealth of knowledge and recollection. A very special man indeed.
He will be sorely missed but memories of his lively wit and humourous take on life will live on.
Rest in peace Owen.
Owen was one of life’s treasures! I have known him as a devoted family man, a much revered and respected tutor and lecturer in the Department of Landscape at Sheffield University and as a very dear friend.
I first met Owen when studying Landscape Architecture at Sheffield where he was an insiping and encouraging tutor who shared his knowledge and understanding with eloquence and clarity. He was a deep thinker, deconstructing and reconstructing concepts, hard landscape details and life itself in a wholesome and inquiring way.
At some point, while a student, he invited me to babysit and my first meeting with Alison and David proved lively and jolly, as they were both bouncing on their beds, practically hitting the ceiling! From that moment I saw Owen as an utterly devoted husband, father and family man. Between them, Owen and Polly shaped a creative and relaxed family home and garden which provided an idyllic setting where children could blossom and imagination knew no limits. Owen always had a project on constructing steps in the garden or small extensions to the house.
Later on, at their silver wedding anniversary party, I remember everything hushed as Owen, with his exquisite singing voice, serenaded Polly in the most sincere and heartfelt way. It was such a special moment.
Owen remained a very dear friend for many years. Every Christmas it was a tradition that Owen and Polly cycled out to Derbyshire for a get-together and feast at my place. I always looked forward to this time for catching up, sharing friendship and warmth. I so enjoyed their company!
My life has been greatly influenced and enriched by Owen. Like many others, I was touched by his lightheartedness and kindness. I will miss him.
I remember Owen as a very creative and open-minded person. I witnessed one of his rehearsals at his house in Sheffield back in the 1990s. I was very impressed with his singing aspirations being in his 60s at that time. I always thought he is a great uncle to have even though I only met him a few times. His way of being will certainly be an inspiration for me as I get older myself.
Hello, we were students at Sheffield Landscape Architecture dept in the 80s. j
Still living in Sheffield, we just drove past Owen’s house on Greystones road and wondered how he was.
I would just like to say here (and hope it reaches his family) that he was a delightful and inspirational teacher at Sheffield. His wonderful slide shows have stayed in my mind all these years – the one of two children in deep pink and white dancing around a circular pond with deep pink and white water lilies being particularly memorable! I also remember his fondness for a well built gabion and think of him whenever I see one.
He definitely opened my 19-year old eyes to and appreciation of the world of beautiful landscape structure which has continued to this day,well into my 50s!
Jane Wratten (and Roger Nowell)