Elisabeth Theresa (Berlin) Mann 91, of Medfield, Massachusetts passed away on August 8th, 2020 at the Thomas Upham House, Medfield where she has been residing since September after a fall last July.
Born in Hanover, Germany she lived through World War I. Elisabeth was one of ten children and had 6 older sisters; 2 older brothers and 1 younger brother; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She met her husband shortly after he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany in 1951 in the Military Police Corp. In 1952 they got married and had their first child. In 1954 she moved with her husband to Medfield and had their second child in early 1955. By 1959 they welcomed their 3rd child and their family was complete.
In her early years in Medfield, she met her neighbors and other women at the Hinkley Pond. She would have them over for coffee while the children played in the yard. She joined a knitting club and a bowling league with her friends and made new friends. Over the years, she took various classes with friends including ceramics, rug braiding and Nantucket basket weaving.
In 1965, she started working as one of the original crossing guards in Medfield. where she continued working at her various “posts” around town for 50 years. She was known to many as the woman with the red lipstick, friendly smile and big wave. She got to know many children whom she helped cross the street and ultimately carried on many a conversation. She referred to them as “her children” and sometimes caused them to be late for school. However this was an acceptable excuse to be late as the school personnel also knew her well. She also got to know many parents who drove by and stopped them often for a conversation or to scold them about their driving. She would also stop people walking their dogs, and would get to know the dogs and some of these people became her close friends inviting them to her house for lunch. In 2015, after 50 years she retired from her crossing guard job.
Along with her husband she attended various Medfield High School sports events including football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse including both boys and girls. They became Medfield’s #1 and #2 fans. Elisabeth loved to crochet and mostly crocheted thick potholders that you were instructed to use and not just display. Eventually she crocheted a pair for Mothers of graduating Seniors for each of the sporting events; and gave them to the parents at the last game. She would give the Seniors a Ritter Sport German chocolate bar. This and her crossing guard job helped establish her as a local Icon.
After Elisabeth retired she continued crocheting her famous potholders for anyone who came to the door. However, she was never really the same as she missed seeing people every day.
She was very proud to be an American citizen; but was also proud of her German heritage. She attended most of the events held at the Boylston Schul Verein (German Club in Walpole) since it’s opening in the early 1980’s;which included typical German dances and outdoor Oktoberfests.
A loving grandmother and great-grandmother, Elisabeth was predeceased by her husband and leaves behind two daughters, Nina Mann and Rosemary Mann – both of Medfield; a son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Linda Mann of North Andover; three granddaughters, Kendra Cunningham in the Army currently stationed in Germany, Reba Anderson and her husband Brett in Denver, Colorado, Cassidy Mann in Scottsdale, Arizona; a grandson Karl Mann in North Andover; one great-grandson Henry Anderson and one great-granddaughter Lily Anderson.
Visitation: Wednesday, August 19th, 2020, 11:00am -1:00pm at the Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller street, Medfield. During these hard times of the Corona Virus, for those of you who feel comfortable attending the visitation, please note that masks will be required along with social distancing; and only 25 people will be allowed in the whole building at one time.
Funeral and Interment Services: Wednesday, August 19th, 2:00pm Graveside at Vine Lake Cemetery, 625 Main St, Medfield. Social distancing will still be observed and only 50 people will be permitted to gather at the gravesite.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Thomas Upham House 519 Main St, Medfield, MA 02052.
