Paul & Sharon Manion

Paul  (PL, Dad) and Sharon (Mom) Manion departed obviously and lovingly within a couple weeks of each other which is a testament of their love and the ultimate meaning of “through sickness and health”. Sharon left this earth on February 1 and Paul went to meet her on February 12. They were never without each other for too long throughout the entire 31 years of their marriage. Their love story was non-traditional and began in a gym in Bloomfield and continued with living in a house with Sharon’s dad which caused a very swift elopement on November 20, 1992. They took their love to a big house in Polish Hill shortly after the arrival of their daughter Kaitlin Marie Manion who is their only child and in their words both together and individually “was the greatest thing I’ve ever done”.  Paul and Sharon are survived by many people (and places and things!) but they are mostly survived by the humility they always offered, the truthfulness they always delivered, and the love they gave. Paul always gave you what you needed to hear in a way you didn’t like at the time but appreciated later and Sharon was the person you called when you just needed someone to listen to you probably over a cigarette. They will be survived by many people but mostly family including William “Bill” Manion (Karen Manion; Bill’s children Sean, Amy & Mia Manion), Thomas Manion (Barbara Manion & their children Richard & Michael Manion), Philip Manion (Lynn Manion & son Noah Manion), Virginia Manion (Dave Sarracino).  Sharon’s sister Carolyn Lasser (Michael Lasser) and her children Amy Lasser Suarez (Reynaldo Suarez & children Alexis, Ariella & Jaiden Suarez) & Alicia Lasser (child Brandon Michael Tavares) and sister in law Amy Najewicz (& daughter Ally Najewicz). Paul & Sharon often gave everything they could to their loved ones, so they will also be remembered by the friends they have met throughout their robust lives. Paul has always credited  his best friend, Steve Mesich for the reason he decided to get his life together. Sharon always tried to emulate the kindness her friend Nadine Smiley gave to her. The love they received from everyone was simply carried over into the next person who needed that love next.

Paul and Sharon received a warm welcome into the eternal gates of the afterlife by many folks including Paul’s parents Paul & Elizabeth Manion and Sharon’s father Edward “Breezy” J. Najewicz and mother Rose Marie Najewicz & Sharon’s brother Edward F. Najewicz, along with Paul’s siblings Marie Manion, Shelia Manion, and Barbara Manion & their nephew Thomas “Tucker” Manion.

Paul and Sharon will always be available to their loved ones near and far, along with Paul’s sister (and Kaitlin’s godmother & one of Sharon’s favorite sister-in-laws) within Allegheny Commons on Pittsburgh’s Northside near the Washington Monument. Just look for the bench that says “But never doubt I love” which is a Shakespeare quote that accurately describes the complicated love they gave everyone in their life. (It is also a quote their only daughter has tattooed on her.) Anytime you want to take a break, it would mean the world to them for you to rest on their bench.

Paul and Sharon Manion were a duo. Since they met they were rarely apart and they weathered many storms together. There have been no services per their requests. They are everywhere, but their homebase is with their daughter who will take them wherever she may go. Whenever you may miss them, simply look at the sky and they’ll be listening to you. A celebration of life will happen in the near future for close friends and family.