She was born on October 18, 1951, the youngest of 4 children to Raymond Monroe and Evelyn Ann (Murphy) Conley in Mexico, Missouri. She was raised on the family farm and attended elementary school in a one room school house, being the only student in her grade. The family later moved to Centralia, MO. and she was thrilled at attending the town school. She was active in everything including being a cheerleader in High School. After she graduated, she lived in New York and Ohio, then returning back to Missouri. In 1974, she had her lucky day. She had just moved in to her own place, and soon was introduced to her neighbor, Greg Mantle by his sister. They later married in December of 1976. They moved to Independence, Missouri, near Kansas City to begin their professional careers. She started working for the Sheraton Hotel, then with Doubletree. It was with Doubletree that she developed a passion for the hotel industry. She was blessed to have great leaders, mentors, and the support of her peers. They provided the training and she provided the passion, enthusiasm and contagious can-do spirit that everyone loved. She had an opportunity in 1988 to move up to the corporate office with Doubletree in Phoenix, it changed our lives forever and firmly established her in the hotel industry. She later worked for Starwood, Wyndham, MCM Consulting, Rock Resorts and lastly Hilton. She loved working for the two Hilton Pointe Resorts in Phoenix. She adored her bosses, peers and her support staff and the love flowed both ways.
She was very dedicated to the hotel business, and when it was time to retire due to illness it was extremely difficult for her to leave. The love and respect the Hilton family showed her during her retirement party was beyond anything she could ever image.
She was very family oriented and enjoyed time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed hanging out with friends for wine and gossip. She loved parties, hosting several huge Christmas parties for Hilton staff in her home. She was very adventurous, and loved to travel all over the world, both for business and pleasure, visiting Hong Kong, China, Macau, England, Germany, the Caribbean, Austria, Canada, Mexico and 48 States! The little girl in the one room schoolhouse had big dreams and ambitions and succeeded beyond any measure!
Her association with Banner Neuro Wellness, a support group for Parkinson’s disease, gave her life support and purpose. A place to stay active through disease-specific exercise. To share experiences, friendships, fears, frustrations, hopes and successes with others facing similar challenges. She loved the organization and people, and made many close friends whose treasured friendship extends far beyond the scope of the group.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Greg; sons, Travis A. Mantle (Nicole), Cody A. Mantle (Marcela Rubio-Sanchez); grandchildren Ella M. Mantle, Jonah M. Mantle all of Arizona. She is also leaves behind a sister Edna Mae Lavinder and her 3 nieces (Ruth Ann Ball, Melanie Schuering, and Cynthia Reading) all of Missouri. Also surviving; Sister in law Marla Gunn (Greg) and brother in law Mark Mantle (Cindy) and parents in law Faye and Elmer Mantle, all of Missouri, along with many more cousins, nieces, nephews and her many wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Evelyn Conley, sisters Margaret and Mildred, brother in law Larry Lavinder and sister in law Gale Merideth-Seip
A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 20, from 4pm until 7pm at Valley of the Sun Mortuary. Funeral service will be held on Monday, November 21, at 11 am at Valley of the Sun Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Banner Neuro Wellness Group.
Arrangements under the direction of Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, Chandler, AZ.
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