Bea Mahnke Memorial Scholarship
Bridget (Bea) Mahnke lived her life with dedication, humor, and an unforgettable spirit. Born in 1907 in Mayo, Ireland, Bea came to America and married Benjamin, a Clevelander of Irish descent. Together they built a life filled with love and had two sons, Ben and Bob. Widowed at an early age, Bea faced profound loss with grace and strength. She was a trusted employee of the Osborne family who never missed a day of work, demonstrating unwavering reliability and commitment. She used to say with a smile, "I came to work for two weeks and stayed for 18 years."
Despite her heartbreaks, Bea brought joy to everyone around her with her wonderful Irish accent and many sayings that are still repeated by family members after all these years. She loved to do the Irish jig and filled any room with laughter and life. Bea was a devoted parishioner at St. Mary's Church. Though she never had a driver's license, she walked to church daily, demonstrating her determination and resilience. If she were here today, she would have loved to play with her over 16 great, great-great, and great-great-great grandchildren. Her loyalty, humor, and vibrant personality left an indelible mark on the Osborne family and all who knew her, and her spirit continues to bring smiles through the cherished memories and sayings she left behind.
Form Closes April 17, 2026
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
Eligibility requirements:
Questions: (500 word limit for each individual question. We recommend writing your answers in a separate word processor and copying them to the application form.)