SUN CITY, Fla. -Lura Louise Mansir, 88, died April 1, at LifePath Hospice House in Sun City Center, Fla.

She was born on Jan. 1, 1917, in Richmond, the daughter of Melita Louise Shepard Leavitt and Melvin Thadeus Leavitt. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1935.

She married Edward Maurice Mansir on June 14, 1935.

She worked for various Richmond shoe manufacturing companies, and retired from Eaton Shoe on June 29, 1979.

From her youth she performed readings and monologues on stage in the Richmond Opera House, and during her lifetime at church and social events.

Throughout her life she was a member of the Dresden Richmond United Methodist Church, and the United Methodist Women. She was a member and served as Matron at Eastern Star and the Rebekah’s.

Throughout her life she awoke to greet the day with joy and gratitude. She gave her love and kindness freely to all she met. She would easily strike up a conversation with strangers standing nearby as if they were lifelong acquaintances. She loved life and lived it abundantly.

She is survived by sons, Brian Edward Mansir of Fairfax, Va., and Michael Alan Mansir of Englewood, Fla.; daughters-in-law Catherine Grace Ahearn of Fairfax, Va., and Martha Jean Mansir of Englewood, Fla. She had eight grandchildren, Victoria Lynn Mansir of Southport, England, Theresa Michelle Mansir of Blackburn, England, Christopher Hugh Mansir of Bristol, England, Trisha Kelly of Northbridge, Mass., Michael Alan Mansir Jr. of Hopkinton, Mass., Tammy Stimpson of Bowdoin, Jeanne Marie Leombruno of Upton, Mass., and Dianne Lynn Jones of Belgrade. She also had 11 great-grandchildren, Amy Louise Mansir of Southport, England, Conor Edward Mansir and Robyn Jayne Mansir, both of Bristol, England, Michael Luke Kelly, Danielle Evelyn Kelly, Elija Barend Kelly, and Jared Samuel Bogdan Kelly, of Northbridge, Mass., Allison Paige Stimpson and Logan Wyatt Stimpson, both of Bowdoin, and Nicholas Tyler Mansir of Hopkinton, Mass.

She was predeceased by her husband; her father and mother; and her brother, Merle A. Leavitt.

She died peacefully following a brief illness. She was attended by her sons, Brian and Michael; daughters-in-law, Catherine and Martha; cousins, Murray and Marion Shepard; aunt, Wynnefred Shepard; and friends, Col. Michael J. Rendine (Ret) and Allison Cole.

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