Clancy and Marianne Mann
May 2024
Obituary
Dr. Clarence ‘Clancy’ Mann was born in Mitchellville, Maryland and raised in Evansville, Indiana. He was the loving son of Clarence and Leona Mann, and loyal brother to Carol Higgs and the late Phyllis Wendland. He received a B.A. (Summa cum laude) from Wabash College; a L.L.B and M.A. in Economics from Yale University; and his Dr. jur. (Magna cum laude) from the University of Bonn.
In 1956, he met Mary Ann Taylor Mann, his beloved wife of 64 years. He was a devoted husband, father and friend and cherished spending time with his family while experiencing many different cultures as they traveled abroad. He exemplified respect, honor, and a profound sensitivity to the needs of others. An attorney with 20 years of corporate law practice, he served as General Counsel of Sears Roebuck’s International Operations (Chicago, IL).
He dedicated an important part of his life to the Institute of Cultural Affairs (Chicago, IL), championing for citizen participation in community and human development. As CEO of Appropriate Technology International (ATI) (Washington, DC), he implemented the commercialization of technology to increase employment, income, savings, capital formation and the productivity of those in less developed nations. His career culminated as Professor and Associate Chair, International Programs for the University of Maryland University College (UMUC).
In addition to Mary Ann, Clancy is survived by his children: Eric William Mann, Jennifer Mann Hillman, and Matthew Taylor Mann, their spouses, and his seven grandchildren.
My Mom put family first, never wanted to be a burden; she was fiercely independent, stubborn at times and quietly strong. She gave me what I needed when I needed it…love, support, space, tenderness, sternness, belief, patience, silence, empathy….at times, she knew me better than I knew myself and knew what I needed to move forward. Both my Mom&Dad’s intentionality to live life with values, humility, learning, gratitude, risks, priorities, modesty, relationships, service to others, purpose and reflection has been instilled in me, Jennifer Mann Hillman, Eric Mann, all of her grandchildren, extended family, friends and acquaintances
~~ Matthew Mann
Matt, I was so saddened to hear of your Dad and Mom’s passings. Clancy was one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever met. My husband, John Epps, and Clancy worked together in the online Master’s program for about 20 years at UMUC. Marianne was one of the most delightful, positive people I’ve ever met. They and my husband and I vacationed together a couple of times in Malaysia, on a cruise along the Dalmatian coast, and in Santa Fe. My heart goes out to you, Jennifer, and Eric.
~~ Ann Epps
Witnessing to the Wonder and Contributions of Those Who Care
My daughter Diana called me to say she had heard from her good friend Jennifer Mann. Jennifer’s mother Marianne Mann, living in Maryland, was not feeling well. One of her sons took her to the hospital and doctors found her white blood cell count extremely high. She was hospitalized surprisingly — with leukemia. Jennifer flew from LA to Maryland to be with and take care of her mother when Marianne was released from the hospital. She arrived in time to spend only a few hours with her mom before Marianne died the next day.
I loved facilitating Global Women’s Forums with Sharon Farrar and Marianne Mann in Zambia, Africa. Sharry and I facilitated a forum in Lusaka. Following that event, we were invited by the Secretary of Women’s Work in Zambia to a country-wide conference held in the Copperbelt. Marianne showed up just in time to join us as guests of the Secretary. Women from each development district in the country gave reports of accomplishments made during the last year. The reports were detailed: For example, they included how many bushels of maize and other crops were harvested, the number of pigs born, number of trees planted to raise the water table, down to the number of boy and girl babies born in the respective districts. After each delegate’s reported ended, the audience erupted with loud and enthusiastic clapping, singing, and dancing.
Then the Secretary introduced Sharry, Marianne and me as special guests. It was obvious the Secretary expected each of us to address the group. So, we did. Each time one of us spoke briefly, the group again received us with wild audience reactions: explosive shouts, clapping, yelling, and dancing after each of our short comments. I will not forget Marianne’s big-eyed expression and raised tone of voice saying: “YES, our time is now!” followed by more cheering.
As a team, we were blessed by Sharon’s endless energy, my openness and sense of adventure, and Marianne’s Global Women’s Forum grounding and experience. Later in the day and after tea and refreshments, we joined over a hundred or so African women thrilling tongues, leaping, shouting, laughing ourselves silly, and bending up and down as the group circle-danced excitedly about women taking our places in creating the future!
Marianne and I reflected that evening on the rich and powerful event that we did not expect but that we joined with total abandonment. What an affirmation! What a celebration of being woman!
~~ Leah Early