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Beta Pi
Blog’s purpose: to bring ATO, Beta Pi Chapter Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals
together. The blog is not to be taken
seriously - it is meant for fun.
The
Beta Pi Blog is non-political. It
includes pictures,
links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters.
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BECKY BRUNING MANYAK TRIBUTE
As you know, Becky Bruning Manyak
passed away. We sent an email to the
group, and there were many heart felt comments, which we have put together for
old time’s sake.
"Beta Pi,
I have some very, very sad news to share, our
dear friend Becky Bruning Manyak passed away. I received a very touching
note from Becky’s daughter Rachel informing me that Becky died on October 19th.
“Hi, Larry. This is Becky Bruning’s daughter,
Rachel. I know my mom had been in touch with you recently and thought I
should reach out to you and let you know that my mom passed away peacefully on
Thursday morning. She had really been struggling the past week but was a real
fighter until the very end. We are comforted knowing her pain and suffering are
over. As she was reaching out to you towards the end, it’s obvious that
the friendship you shared with my mom meant a lot to her. Please pass
along this information to the ATO group and anyone else you think might like to
know. Also, if you or anyone else have any old photos of my mom we would
love to see them. Thanks so much!
Rachel Manyak
I followed up with
Rachel, and told her I would share with my ATO email list, I told her I
expected many responses, and she indicated she would like to be in the loop to
receive responses.
Becky had informed
me privately of her lung cancer several months ago, and at her request I kept
it confidential. During Homecoming Buck (who also knew) got news
that Becky had decided to switch from treatment to palliative care, and we
learned that Katie Herrington and Becky’s closest friends were going to
visit. I texted Becky sending love and prayers and how much I admire her
courage. On October 6th, Becky sent me a very sweet note that
I will never forget.
“Hi Larry— Well
maybe you now know my sad news... I will miss the crew but you know I’m getting
OK and beginning to accept my fate.... It will all be just fine, I’m not one
bit worried. Just put me in some of your prayers.
Love to Buck too!!
We are
heartbroken.
Becky had the best
care and fought the good fight. Rachel, thank you so much for sharing
with us.
Becky, we love you,
we will never forget you, you are in our prayers always. A dear friend, a
beautiful and courageous woman, I remember her as a person who would look you
straight in the eye and accept you as you are. May God bless Becky and
her beautiful family.
Larry
Here are some pictures. Several years ago, Becky sent me some photos of
back-in-the-day.
Also, Marlon sent some
old pictures, and Jeff Perout sent some more – thanks to Marlon and Jeff.
I took several pictures of Becky at our 2010
Reunion, and to my knowledge these are the most recent. I saw Becky briefly at the 2015 Reunion – at
the Class Party – but didn’t manage to get a picture, and due to a conflict she
had, she said she was unable to attend our ATO party.
FROM JACK
MUENCH
Oh, no. And at
the same time, Larry, I continue to thank you for your work and getting us all
together. I got to see Becky at a reunion probably around 2010 or so, and I'm
so glad that I did. At that reunion, she brought a wonderful little
picture book. Not only were the pictures wonderful, but the book itself was
most fanciful, 60s style. And our friend Debbie Payne, herself an accomplished
artist, remarked on what a cool book it was. I will have stories to share
when the time comes. For now, perhaps not. Had to Cry Today.
FROM MARK REED
Larry, thank you and
we will keep Rachel and her family in our prayers.
Rachel, your Mom was
a fun loving easy to be with sweet gal. She was either 2 or 3 years
behind my wife, Kimey and our class of 1973. My wife, Kimey, was a Pi Phi
as well. The ATO’s and Pi Phi’s were intertwined in many ways.
Kimey sends her love and is sad to hear of your loss. I believe the last
time I saw your Mom was July 20, 1974. Kimey and were married on that day
in Charlottesville, VA (actually Keene, VA, a tiny little cross roads outside
of Charlottesville). Becky had made the road trip to be at her sorority
sister’s wedding. We had a large time. May God Bless you and your
family during this time of loss. Remember the good times and hold on to
them!!
With Sincerest
Condolences,
Mark and Kimey Reed
FROM MARK McGANN
Larry,
Hard news. As usual my mail won't let reply to
"all" so I'm leaving it to you to pass on the attached photo with my
sentiments, if you would be so kind.
It was our great good fortune to have known Becky, truly one of
the best.
Prelude: Roxy Roxbury at
Churchill Downs Racing and Sports book set the over/under on how many times I
will break down to sob before this writing is finished at 6.5.
Remembering Becky…
I have just poured a generous glass
of Pinot Noir in preparation for my writing tonight. My goal is to be open with
my feelings on the passing of this wonderful woman and friend. We are of an age
where family and friends dwindle at an ever increasing rate. I was
saddened when we lost David Howe, Ted Stephany and the others who were the
first of our group to pass. Miles and X. Neal’s deaths on a surfboard and
motorcycle respectively were more shocking (if not poetic).
Becky’s passing has had a rather
profound effect on me. She has been in my daily thoughts for several
months during her courageous battle. When I found out she was ill my
heart sank. I thought, “This is how it will be now. The best of us
will suffer and die young. One by one we will fall until none are left to
tell our tales”. Becky was so strong and she had our hopes up for a while
that she would pull through. It happens you know. Our dear friends
Marlon and Leapin’ Gene Young are a testimony to beating the odds. But my
heart sank again when I talked to Katie just before homecoming. Becky had
fought the good fight. She took her rest in the comfort of her loving
family and now she sleeps with the angels. I will stop my melancholy on
death and aging. Lord knows you all have much better resources than Buck
Biller for insights and soothing thoughts on that subject. I want to
remember Becky for the wonderful person she was.
I would be remiss in my
remembrance of our sister Becky if I did not start out with this first
thought… Becky was a very attractive woman back in the day and throughout
her life. Beautiful, confident, determined, outgoing. A friend to
all and never a bad word to say about anyone or anything. She could smoke
and drink with the boys but always cleaned up well and was always a lady.
Becky was the icon of the ladies
in our group. Over the years I came to appreciate Becky and her Pi
Phi sisters for their tolerance of “the boys”. Beer wenches??? Can
you imagine such a thing today? If someone told my daughter she was a
beer wench she would geld them on the spot. I started to realize how
preposterously immature we were when I moved to Hawaii and went into business
with Miles and Kay. They rented a beach house on the North shore of
Oahu. We would hang out there on the weekends. Kay would regularly
shoo Miles, Harpo and I out of the house saying “Why don’t you boys go down and
play on the beach. I will call you when dinner is ready”. I kept
thinking- “That’s the kind of stuff my Mom used to say. Maybe I am still
a boy and I need to grow up a bit?” Hawaii is where I really felt like I
connected with Becky. She came to visit us for a week or two. I
remember having some really great talks with her during that time about life
and the state of the universe. She was so wise and strong and confident
and understanding. As solid a person as I have ever had the chance to
meet.
I well remember meeting Becky at
a cocktail party at the Law School during homecoming 5-6 years ago. I had
been divorced for several years and clumsily foundering through a series of
doomed relationships. Becky was so cool! She looked great and was
her own sweet steady self. I remember thinking that her husband was a
very lucky man.
I apologize for the random
rambling thoughts. Anyway, the Pinot is gone and I am proud to say those
who bet the under won that prop. I only broke down 5 times over the 5
paragraphs. Becky was an icon. I keep coming back to descriptive
words like strong, solid, even tempered, etc. I just know that I am
better for having known her and that we are all diminished by her loss.
RIP Becky, I love you my sweet
sister.
FROM
STEVEN STARR
I did not know Becky as well as
many other ATO’s, but I do know she was a good friend to the Wales Tales
community. And I know that she had a wonderful personality and was always
a cheerful and positive person. Obviously this carried her throughout her
life and was a key to the utterly dignified way she met the challenge of her
final battle. I have a picture of her outside the bar in Eleuthera that
personifies her cheerful character and spirit. A good and great friend to all
ATO’s.
FROM
GEORGE TOMLINSON
Bozino,
I don't remember much
about Becky, except that she was an exceptionally tolerant woman with a great
sense of humor. And, I must say a unanimous selection for the Hall
of Fame for "Tales Beer Wenches". She played along with
us very well, without confrontation. Maybe it was out of fear, but
I rather think her quest for fun! RIP Becky!
THE HEME
What a shock. I don't need to tell
all of the nice people on this list what a great person Becky was. She was
always cool, calm and collected. She hung right in there with a bunch of total
nut jobs, myself included. If there was such a thing as Top Sister to all of
the ATO lads she would have been the one. She was the original 'Beer Wench' for
our many Wales Tales games. I'm guessing that she defended many of us to her
friends who thought 'What a bunch of idiots'.
We were all lucky to have known Becky Bruning.
Amen Matt... well said.
Oh, that is so sad. Too young!
Thank you for letting us know.
Sally Jasper
What
a classy, laid back, lovely soul. aaargh..
Beck was and always will be
one of my most favorite Ladies, an exalted wench, who had a ready smile and a
great laugh. I will miss her spirit and her loss, lessens me.
Marc
FROM TISON KEEL
Dear Rachel:
I am heartsick to get this news,
and overwhelmed by the grace of Becky's last message to all of us. She
was an intelligent, funny, thoughtful, playful and beautiful woman. We
met early in our freshman year, and our paths crossed frequently and
continuously all four years at school. I am proud to call Becky a
friend. It didn't take long to recall favorite story, timely with
Halloween approaching. One year after we had graduated, I was making my
first return to Nashville as an employed alumnus, and stopped by a house in Nashville
to visit some Pi Phi friends who had stayed in town for work or to finish
school, among whom was Bruning. (I had dated a couple of Pi
Phis, but sadly for me, never Becky) I was looking for an idea for a
costume to wear to the ATO house Halloween party. Becky challenged
me (actually dared me) to go in drag, in a dress. Not to be faced down, I
called her bluff and she provided what she considered the appropriate
attire. After I had squeezed into the dress, Becky then started trying to
talk me out of wearing it. She finally admitted she didn't want me in
that dress because she was embarrassed that it fit me! (It did not,
really). I refused to remove it, Becky and Katey H. helped with some
makeup, I went to the party, to much hilarity in those oh so different days,
but kept my promise, until now, not to reveal the owner of my apparel. I
am sure Becky is smiling! Becky was an old soul, and is
sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are that you will celebrate her life,
and take solace in a passage that has helped me in time of loss, Ephesians
3:18.
Tison
FROM ART LANDRY
What can you say? The eternal
mystery is why do bad things happen to good people. She was good people. RIP.
Arthur
Arthur
FROM
PIERCE HODNETTE
Thanks for sharing this. Becky was a
wonderful, spirit-filled person. We were blessed to know her.
Pierce H.
FROM
RACHEL MANYAK
Thank you all for
your kind words and for sharing these stories I hadn't heard before! Please feel free to
keep them coming and to attach any photos if you happen to come across them.
Take care,
Rachel Manyak
Bruning (as we
called her) was one of the Pi Phis I looked up to....eternally cool, calm,
collected...wicked smart...effortlessly gorgeous . . one of the "super
nurses"...I always think of her in a triumvirate with Denham &
Degerberg. I think they joined the men's rugby club one year...And now
she lives only in the fecund soil of our memory.
Kingsley
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http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=rebecca-manyak&pid=187110606
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KEEPING
TABS:
Here is
a reminder of the Brothers and Sisters we have lost.
BECKY
BRUNING MANYAK, died October 19, 2017.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.07.
Archive: Sept. 2017
Obituary:
ROB BLANKENHORN, died
December, 2016.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.05, (See Comment by Dick
Stoner). Archive: Sept. 2017
EDWARD G. “TED”
STEPHANY, died January 20, 2016.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2016, No.01, Archive: Jan. 2016
J. NEAL CRENSHAW, died November 12, 2014.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.08, Archive: Nov. 2014
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.10, Archive: Dec. 2014
MILES WALSH, died in July, 2013.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2013, No.05, Comments Section
(over 50 comments), Archive: Aug.2013
DAVID HOWE, died November 30, 2006.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.68, Archive: Dec.
2006.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.30, Archive: May. 2007
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.30, Archive: May. 2007
KURT WAGNER, died in July, 2002.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2016, No.02, Archive: Jan. 2016
ALEXANDER WILSON, died April 9, 1977. Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.25, Lowenstein Essay Contest. Archive: Aug. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.33, Honoring Alex and Laura. Archive: Sept. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.45, Tale-o-Pig-Roast. Archive: Sept. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.50, Winner Essay Contest. Archive: Oct. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.05, Alexander Wilson. Archive: Sept. 2017
Alex and Laura are buried at the Nashville National Cemetery. The cemetery at 1420 Gallatin Pike South, Madison, TN 37115. Alex and Laura are at Section KK, Site 794.
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VTL,
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Simons
Beta
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