Sandra “Sandi” Lynn (Mabry) Manna, age 51, lost her battle with cancer on May 8, 2021. If sheer will gave you wings, Sandi would be soaring high above us reaching for her Sunshine. While optimistic to the core, she never stopped believing in miracles and her faith in God lent her a powerful peace to face her transition as she did everything else...head on. Sandi was born in Stamford, CT, on April 12, 1970, to Curtis Mabry and Halina (Stachurska) Mabry. She would tell you she had a great childhood with parents that loved her and took the time to make homemade costumes and tiny doors to fuel her vivid imagination. She grew up with her honorary older sister, Kelly Mabry, who shared her love of playing at Cove beach, ice skating lessons, making mini story books, the original Honeycomb cereal, their dog Thor, and above all else, Old McDonald’s Farm. Her family moved to Madison in 1985 and she graduated from Daniel Hand High School in 1988. Sandi was very creative and went on to receive her degree in Graphic Design from Eastern Connecticut State University. While exploring opportunities in graphic design she had the opportunity to become a veterinary technician and a passion was born. Sandi continued in vet medicine for over 10 years and became a fierce advocate for neglected, abused or abandoned animals. She developed deep bonds with her animal companions which are too numerous to list although Rain, Stratus and Houdini would be deeply insulted if they were not named specifically. Sandi became an instant mother to Alan Barnett and Jess Steding while married to their dad, David Steding. She is remembered by Jess as a great mom who fostered independence.
In 2004 Sandi met Eric Manna and the earth stood still for just a moment as two souls became one. They married in 2006 and the next 15 years have been filled with great friends, good food, goblets of wine by the fire pit and love beyond measure. Best friends, staunchest supporters, deeply passionate and co-parents to multiple furry children, their love for each other inspires all that know them. Sandi’s mother was an amazing gardener and developed beautiful landscapes in her Clinton home. This influence led Sandi to pursue landscaping and a Landscape Designer was born. M & M Garden Designs developed from a small landscaping business to a company that creates and maintains amazing landscapes and gardens while developing lasting relationships with customers. Sandi and Eric worked side-by-side every day developing their business, renovating their home and after all that still wanting to jump in the Jeep to run errands, together. Always a nature lover, Sandi found solace and peace while hiking in the woods, kayaking, watching a beautiful beach sunset or feeling the ocean on her skin and sand between her toes. Sandi’s legacy of beauty rests in the beautiful gardens she has designed, the relationships she has nurtured, and her love for Eric that is in full bloom and everlasting. In Sandi’s own words, “Do not cry for me for I’ve had a wonderful life. The most rewarding obviously my life with Eric Manna. Thank you all for the friendship and the laughs. My life is far richer for having known you all”.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Living Rock Church, 138 Route 81, Killingworth, CT on Saturday, May 22, 2021 @ 1:00 pm followed by a reception at Sandi and Eric’s home at 143 Iron Works Road, Killingworth, CT between 2:30pm-6:00pm. You are invited to bring flowers or plants to be installed in her memorial garden.
Sandi was a passionate advocate for animals so please feel free to donate to an animal charity of your choice or to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, Town of Branford, CT, 749 East Main Street, Branford, CT 06405, in Sandi’s honor.
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