Barbara B. Mann at a Glance

Born Jan. 4, 1913 • Died Dec. 15, 2013

She was the last child born in the Balch home, built by her ancestors in 1750 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. In 1922 her mother took Barbara and her sister, Helen, to Fort Myers to live with her mother’s parents. She graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1929 and was presented her diploma by Thomas Edison. Mina Edison had presented her with a large basket of flowers earlier that year when she was the star in the school play. One of her two sons, Frank Mann Sr., at her passing recalled his mother’s boundless energy, and that she never napped. Frank Mann Sr. is a Florida lawmaker and he helped in securing $6.5 million in state funding to build the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall that opened on Jan. 12, 1986. She was an actress, pianist, organist and choir director. In addition to Frank Mann Sr., her other son is George (Pat) Mann. Barbara Mann helped found the Fort Myers Community Concert Association in 1948 and ser ved as president and volunteer for 57 years. Its current membership is around 1,500. She graduated from Fort Myers High School at 16 and later earned a college degree at age 71.