Worcester, VT Charlene R. (Willing) McManis, 64, of Calais Road in Worcester died on May 1, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Portland, OR, the daughter of Charles S. and Kathleen (Sarmento) Willing on August 22, 1953. She was a tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. She graduated from Inglewood High School in Inglewood, CA in the class of 1971. After graduating, Charlene worked in banking. She then enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably for 8 years until her discharge in 1986. While serving she met the love of her life, Roger A. McManis and his four children in Guam. They were married on December 30, 1983 with five children. Charlene spent over 30 years in Central Vermont as a homemaker and volunteering her time to serve the community. She created the Doty Memorial School breakfast program which paved the way for the hot lunch program. She organized the "All You Can Eat Pie Breakfast" fundraiser for the Doty lunch program. She directed musicals for the Main Street Middle School Dinner Theater. She coached little tots gymnastics and was also involved with the Girl Scouts, Barre Players, Barre Opera House, Lost Nation Theater, Resurrection Baptist Church, as well as various local children's camps. While in Guam, she coached the Naval Air Station youth swim team. She was a member of the American Legion Post #3, the VFW Auxiliary Post #792, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She served on the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs for 3 years. Charlene earned her Bachelor's Degree in Native American Education on May 2, 2011 from Vermont College. She enjoyed many crafts, especially sewing, Native bead work, and crocheting mittens and hats for the homeless. She crafted Native dolls and fashioned a Jingle Dancer doll which appeared in an issue of Country Woman. She had articles published in Kids VT, Highlights for Children, and a cartoon strip, "Umpqua County", in Indian Country Today. Her book, INDIAN NO MORE, is scheduled to be published in the Fall of 2019. Charlene will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Roger McManis of Worcester; children, Christopher McManis and his wife Catherine of Portsmouth, RI, Veronica McManis of Montpelier, Angela Mabini and her husband Michael of Waipahu, HI, Patrick McManis and his wife Jenny of Middletown, RI, and Sarah Ferriss and her husband Greg of Worcester; grandchildren, Christopher Jr., Alissa, Michael, Logan, Amaiah, Hemera, and Oliver; brother, George Collier of Belfair, WA, sisters-in-law Patricia Huckins of Stuart, FL, and Rosalie McManis of Richardson, TX, and brother-in-law Willard McManis of Vine Grove, KY. Calling hours will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, May 4, 2018 at the Guare & Sons Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 5, 2018, also at Guare & Sons Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Doty Memorial School, Resurrection Baptist Church, or Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice. Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com