[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2180-E2181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF MANETTE SEADY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, from biblical times, each of us can recall 
images of strong women carrying heavy water jars--bringing the 
precious, essential liquid of life to family, to friends, to community. 
Water takes a special place in the Catholic Mass, recalling the holiest 
moments of Christian celebration. Jesus blessed the water and then 
blessed the people with that water. The women who carried water would 
gather at the well. Others would be drawn to conversation with them, 
and from their gatherings, community came to be built, gently and 
progressively, conversation, one by one. Ancient history rarely 
recorded women's words. We know now, it should have. We know their 
faithfulness at the well sustaining those they loved. All life needs 
water.
  Manette in so many ways was a Biblical woman, in our time. She was 
faithful, a Christian of the Catholic variety, strong, vital, wise 
and--as we all know now, courageous--carrying her water jar with 
sparkling eyes, a broad smile, humor and generosity. She gave you an 
extra portion. Her wisdom, born of faith, hard work and ethnic and 
gender sensitivity was an endless fountain for those who could 
appreciate it.
  She ministered to all who crossed her path. And importantly, she 
plowed her own path to seek those who others might not know. She did so 
unselfishly, with a rare spirit of self-giving. She worked hard, at 
every worthy task she undertook. She was a laboring woman who labored 
with love.
  As a child at her father and mother's side, she would rise at 4 am to 
accompany her dad as he opened the family restaurant called Najaim's 
and then Manette's. She hated that early rise but she learned to fill 
water glasses of countless people of all ages and stations. No one was 
a stranger at the Seady fountain. She learned about community at a 
young age. She was comfortable with people, most especially from Delta. 
She never wanted to leave them. She reminisced last week about the 
beauty of Delbert Dunbar's gardens, the Democratic women's club, St. 
Casper's and Father Ed. When I asked her, ``Manette, what especially 
did you want me to share with those who will gather to celebrate your 
life?'' She replied: ``Tell them how we worked to help the seniors.'' 
The idea for creating for our country The Senior Farmer's Market 
coupons was formed here, where it now serves 23,000 seniors in 
northwest Ohio, well as millions across our nation. She delivered 
communion to shut-ins, befriended individuals--Dorothy Biddle, Edwina 
Mattimore, Mary Turi, Nona Sue-Mack, Clarence Seifert--carrying her 
water jar. She influenced the younger generation, including members of 
our Congressional staff here today: Steve, Sue, Theresa and Karen among 
them.
  Theresa has written:

       It is just so hard to imagine life without our Manette . . 
     . the Fulton County Fair (she loved the ribbon chips and 
     getting tacos from J & A Taco Wagon from Defiance), having 
     dinner at Byblo's and looking at Christmas lights (Manette 
     asked Sue and me to be mystery judges for the Chamber's 
     Christmas light contest) . . . none of that will be the same. 
     She loved her community, her family, and had such a warm 
     heart.

  Now, I have met thousands upon thousands of people in my own life. 
But there has been only one Manette, my sister-friend, The ``Blessed 
Woman of Delta with the Water Jar''. There is much I did not know about 
her family. I was reminded yesterday, her father ran for the Mayor of 
Delta, Of course, Manette ran for the Fulton County Recorder. Each took 
representative government a step forward.
  As a representative of our Congressional office in Fulton County, she 
stayed in touch with hundreds of people. She let us know what their 
concerns were. She took her duties very seriously. She practiced the 
route to events twice the day before. She planned every moment at every 
event. She left nothing to chance. She always worked hard, a laboring 
woman who provided her own sustenance, cared for her parents, working 
28 years at Aunt Jane's Foods, and upon its closure, as an 
Administrative Assistant at the Fulton Mill Service.
  In her beautiful memory, Manette Ann Zogby Seady, we ordered a U.S. 
flag flown over the Capitol for a loving, generous, hardworking 
daughter, niece, cousin, godmother, beloved friend, devout woman of the 
church, and patriotic citizen for all time. She made her passage with 
grace and coverage. At twilight on the day of her passage, her cousin 
recalls she saw a rainbow through the trees, but there had been no 
rain. Truly, Manette was a ``Blessed Woman At the Well.''

[[Page E2181]]



                          ____________________