Barbara L. Mann, lost her brief battle with cancer on February 24, 2017, at University Hospital Portage Hospice Center with her family and dear friends, Dorothy and Bill Thomas, at her side. She was born June 4, 1941, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to parents Joseph “Pete” and Ruth E. (Borland) Wallace. Barbara moved to Ravenna at age 14 when her father relocated the family to develop and manage Sun Beau Valley Farm for Sterling Smith. Barbara grew up with her father’s work ethic, love for horses, and his competitive nature. She competitively showed horses in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. Barbara graduated from Ravenna Township High School where she was a class officer. After high school, Barbara worked as a dental assistant and later sold real estate. On May 22, 1965, she married Neil Mann Jr. and became a homemaker, mother, tutor, PTA member and consultant. Her son Trey attended Walsh Jesuit High School. Barbara was an active member in the Mother’s Club which monthly prepared and served hot dogs to 700 boys. Barbara and Neil were co-chairmen of Pow Wow, the largest Walsh Jesuit High School fund raiser. She also sponsored a room at a home that housed young men while attending school. This “Walsh Home” afforded them the opportunity to obtain a Walsh Jesuit education. They also donated an annual scholarship to the school. Education was very important to Barbara. She actively participated in the “Bloom” event for Lawrence School, a school for children with learning differences. She sponsored a child each year so they could receive an education no matter what their learning differences were. Barbara recently sponsored an apartment at the Family and Community Services Veteran’s home on Riddle Avenue in memory of her brother who served in Vietnam. Barbara’s love of horses was reignited after her father encouraged her to ride when on a trip to Greenbrier. She talked about how much she missed riding. Within a week, her father purchased her a horse. Barbara went on to participate in the Casanova Hunt in Warrenton, Virginia. Barbara passed her love of horses and competitive spirit to her granddaughters Morgan Mann and Jenna Drago. She spent many hours at horse shows with the girls. The girls were fortunate enough to show their horses at Chagrin Valley Farms, Wilmington Ohio, Lexington Kentucky, Gulfport Mississippi, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Hard work will always payoff as she would say, and it did. The girls qualified for national competitions in Harrisburg, Devon Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. Christmas was her favorite holiday. Barbara would begin decorating in October. She had seven trees decorated in her house as well as providing a decorated tree each year to Robinson Memorial Hospital. Each of her grandchildren had a lit tree outside the house. This ritual grew each year as all the trees, shrubs, and house would light up the street by Thanksgiving. It became a legacy that the community looks forward to each year. Barbara enjoyed spending summers at their cottage at Muzzy Lake and took pride in planting her annual flowers. Recently, the couple built a new lake house and continued hosting gatherings for family and friends. Barbara also enjoyed spending time at their condo in Longboat Key, Florida. While there, she met many dear friends from across the globe. Barbara is survived by her beloved husband Neil Mann Jr. and her children Debbie Mann and Neil Mann III “Trey”. Her memory will also be cherished by grandchildren: Drew and Joey Ault, Audrey, Jenna, Olivia and Gino Drago, Morgan and Mason Mann. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Jay Wallace, and her daughter-in-law Maria Mann. Friends and family will be received Wednesday, March 1, 2017, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend William Kraynak on Thursday at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 409 W. Main St., Ravenna. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.woodwortrightborkoski.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Victory Gallop, Family and Community Services Riddle Home for Veterans, Walsh Jesuit High School, the Lawrence School, or UH Portage Hospice and Home Healthcare. The family would like to thank the staff and doctors at UH Portage Medical Center ER, Intensive Care, and Hospice for their compassionate care given to Barbara. (Wood-KortrightBorkoski 330-296-6436 RC 2-28-17)