Alma Neil Manenica, 89, a longtime resident of Grays Harbor, died at her home in Central Park, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Alma was born in Evening Shade, Ark. on Nov. 29, 1926, the daughter of Noel and Beulah (Johnson) Powell.

Her family moved from Arkansas to Hoquiam in the early 40’s where Alma attended high school during her sophomore and junior years. The family moved back to Arkansas where Alma graduated from high school in Ashflat. Shortly after high school she moved back to Grays Harbor where she worked in the plywood industry and also the D&R Theater. It was there she met Victor Manenica whom she married in Aberdeen on Jan. 17, 1948. She would then dedicate her life to being a mother and homemaker.

When the family moved to Central Park in 1960, Alma became an avid gardener. She was a longtime member of both the Rhododendron and Magnolia Societies and had attended many of their conventions. She had toured gardens throughout the world. Her own garden was a labor of love, which ended up encompassing several acres; she was still propagating and planting at the time of her death. She had attended the Central Park United Methodist Church. She also enjoyed nature, animals, geology and stones. She was an advocate of promoting women’s rights.

Her husband, Vic, preceded her in death in 2000. A son, Jim and wife Carmen, Aberdeen; a granddaughter, Alexandra and husband Donny Galatis, Olympia; and a great-granddaughter: Thea Galatis, survive her. A son, Tim, preceded her in death in 1995 and also a brother, John Powell and a sister Betty Watkins.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the chapel at Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home. Reverend Jan Brim, pastor of the Central Park United Methodist Church, will officiate. Vault interment will take place in Fern Hill Cemetery. A reception will follow in the Dorothy Mann Reception Room at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the American Humane Association, 1400 16th St. NW, Ste. 360, Washington, DC 20036

A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, 2208 Roosevelt St., Aberdeen.