Annabella Manley
The Philadelphia Irish community lost a beloved friend and one of its brightest spirits this week when Annabella McAleer Manley passed away at age 86 on July 26th. Her presence will be especially missed at The Irish Immigration Center, where she was a cherished regular at The Center’s weekly lunches.
Born in Donaghmore, County Tyrone in 1925, Annabella was just 23 years old when she came to the United States. She embraced her adopted country, but carried with her always a love of her Irish culture and homeland.
In December of 2009, I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing Annabella for a video project at the The Immigration Center. Her own words tell the story of her journey from a happy childhood spent on a farm in Northern Ireland to a new life in America.
“We had what we called a small home, it wasn’t a large farm. It was beautiful country. We had nothing really extravagant; I guess we were poor, but not church mouse poor. It was just the four of us, my brother Johnny, my mom and dad and myself.
“I always felt that I would come to America eventually. But I didn’t know this when I used to listen to my grandmother’s records. She had one called ‘I’m Off to Philadelphia in the Morning’ and I would play that one over and over. So in the back of my mind I had an idea I was coming here one day.”
Annabella’s first stop was Derry City.
“I was working there. There were a lot of girls from Free Ireland. I was from The North, and they were from The Free State. So we became very good friends. This girlfriend of mine was born in America and she said she was going back. She was going to take her sister and her brothers, and told me that if I decided to come to America like I said, she’d sponsor me.
“I left Ireland for England when I was 18, and I stayed for 5 years. My girlfriend Florence brought all her sisters and brothers out to America, and then when I was living in London, I got a letter saying she was ready to sponsor me.”
That was how it was done in those days. Annabella followed her friend to the U.S., and lived with her family while she started her new life. The lovely young Irish woman got jobs modeling and then found her way to Philadelphia. She loved to tell stories about the evenings spent dancing at The Irish Center in Mt. Airy and at 69th Street in Upper Darby.
“We’re just going to miss her so much. She was such a smiley, happy person,” Siobhan Lyons, the Director of The Irish Immigration Center said. “She was always laughing and joking, so full of joy. And I will miss her great stories. She was so inspiring. She came over to America when she was young, and witnessed so many of the changes in the country. I am going to miss her terribly.”
Annabella’s funeral will be held on Saturday, July 30th at 11a.m. at St. Bernadette Church, Turner Avenue, Drexel Hill. Further details can be found in The Delaware County Daily Times.
