Warwick mourns the passing of Carol McManus

Warwick — Carol McManus - wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and community leader - lost her battle with pancreatic cancer Sunday at her home. She was 63. Carol was diagnosed in January 2005. She fought this deadly disease, though, and lived her life to the fullest, calling her last year “the best year of my life, a blessing.” Carol looked at it as a time to forget old bitterness and mend some fences, although most who knew her couldn’t imagine those conflicts with her. Carol dedicated much of her life to service to the Warwick community. Her passion was the Lions Club. A past president, Carol dedicated countless hours to the club, whose motto is “We Serve.” And serve she did. Craig Thompson, the Warwick Lions Club president, said Carol was instrumental in some of the club’s most important events. “Lions was a large part of Carol’s life,” said Thompson. “She was totally dedicated and committed to our club motto.” Thompson served as a vice president while Carol was president of the Lions. The two also became running buddies. Thompson credits Carol with two very important aspects in his life. “One difference she made in my life personally was that I could make a contribution to young people,” said Thompson. That has been through the Warwick Leo Club, a branch of the Lions dedicated to young people in the community, aged 12-18. “One of the greatest things I’ve done in my life is serve as advisor of Warwick’s Leo Club in the high school,” said Thompson. “Carol was instrumental in getting it started and we have made a tremendous difference for kids. She made that possible.” Another way Carol has made a difference in Thompson’s life, he said, was by being a fitness mentor. “About six year ago, I volunteered at the Lions Labor Day 5K race handing out water to the runners,” said Thompson. “I watched all the runners going by and I felt I was getting older and out of shape. I decided then that I wanted to run in the race the next year.” Carol, who along with her husband, George, started the race in 1992, inspired him. It was her signature event. Thompson started training for that next year’s race. Carol started running with him, encouraging him. Their friendship grew as they ran. Thompson went on to run two marathons and now running is a daily part of his life. “She helped me live a healthier life,” he said. “That alone has made such a big impact in my life.” Ironically, while Thompson was training for one of those marathons, he lost his sister to pancreatic cancer. He dedicated his training and that marathon to her. The Lions Labor Day 5K, Thompson said, is much more than a race, thanks to Carol. “It is a community event,” he said. And, like all Lions events, the proceeds from the race benefit the community. The race funds the Lions Quest Program, a character education program that addresses substance abuse, conflict resolution, and self-esteem for school children. The race has raised more than $70,000 for the program. And the race will continue. Carol began the planning for the next race a short time after finishing the last one. And last year’s race — Carol’s last race - will always be something special to the community. Carol’s large family came from all over the country, wearing their yellow Lions shirts with their “Team Carol” stickers on them. They were raising money for both the Lions Quest Program and pancreatic cancer research. Team Carol raised more than $10,000 that day for PanCAN, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Carol’s legacy will live on through her family, as well as through the programs she was instrumental in starting in her beloved community. “Carol was a very strong woman. She was one of the best presidents we (the Lions) ever had,” said Thompson. “I admired her convictions. I respected her and I cherished her friendship. In anyone’s life, we want to make a difference. She made a difference in people’s lives.”