Mary Grace Manning, 96, died on April 8, 2017 at Mary’s Meadow Nursing Home in Holyoke. She was the daughter of the late Edward and Grace (O’Connell) Manning.  Born in Holyoke and educated in the Holyoke Public Schools, Mary graduated from Holyoke High School in 1938 and from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, in 1942.  Mary was a medical librarian by profession.  After graduating from the Elms, she worked initially for the Springfield Public Library.  From 1950 to 1983, Mary was employed at Mercy Medical Center where she was respected, admired and loved by physicians, nurses, staff, and especially by student nurses.  Mary worked for 23 years as the librarian for the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and another ten years as the medical librarian for Mercy Hospital. She was generous with her time and was always available to help the doctors and student nurses with research, or to just lend a listening ear.  During her professional career, Mary was an active member of Quota Club of Holyoke, having served as President.  She was a member of the Catholic Library Association and New England Medical Library Association.  Mary’s Catholic faith was a central part of her life.  She was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke, a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Marian Retreat League and National Council of Catholic Women.  Mary became an Associate of the Sisters of Providence of Holyoke in 2004.  As a member of the Elms College Alumnae Association, Mary, many years ago, approached the Development Office suggesting that the college establish an annuity program. The program was developed, and Mary became the first annuitant. In 2002, Mary moved to Providence Place in Holyoke where she lived happily among friends for another ten years.  The final years of her wonderful life were spent at Mary’s Meadow.  Mary often said, “the staff at Mary’s Meadow are my family, they love me and take such good care of me always.” Mary was a woman of gentle spirit, loved by all who knew her. She was a member of the family of the late Judge Ann M. Gibbons and Attorney Leonard E. Gibbons and is survived by their children, Mary Gibbons Stevens and her husband Christopher of Kittery Maine, Captain Edward J. Gibbons (US Coast Guard, ret.) and his wife June of Moyock, North Carolina, John M. Gibbons, MD and his wife Simona V. Pautler, MD of Pittsburgh, PA and Leonard S. Gibbons and his wife Carol of Holyoke.   Mary is survived by her dear friend, Margaret McCleary of the Sisters of Providence of Holyoke, the Sisters and Associates of the Sisters of Providence and the new and dear friendships she developed at Mary’s Meadow, and in particular Sister of Providence, Mary John Bosco.    The Funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.  in Our Lady of the Cross Church, Sycamore Street. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.  Calling hours will be held on Wednesday morning prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, Mary requested memorial contributions be made in her memory to Mary’s Meadow, 12 Gamelin Street, Holyoke, MA  01040.