Kerstin Byorni ’92 Manley

Kerstin Waltraud Byorni Manley, beloved Latin teacher who inspired hundreds of students, passed away Jan. 6, 2018. She was 47. Kerstin helped found two Arizona schools during her 21-year teaching career, Tempe Preparatory Academy and Scottsdale Preparatory Academy. She joined John B. Connally High School in 2016 in Austin, Texas. A valedictorian of Trinity High School in South Bend, Ind., she graduated in Classics from Hope College in Michigan and was working at a bakery when an unexpected invitation to teach came. She drove cross-country and fell in love with the desert, her husband and bringing to life dead languages and ancient cultures for young people. She led trips to Washington, D.C. and the Getty museums, advised on senior theses and organized yearly Saturnalia feasts. Kerstin was a true logophile, expert cheesecake maker and mama to eight cherished cats: Sookie, Monki, Teddy, Tigger, Tara, Ares, Dorian and Charlotte. She is survived by husband Robert Manley; father John Byorni (Sharon); brothers Michael Byorni (Tracy) and Christopher Byorni; sisters-in-law Kati Garrett (Stephen) and Shelley Manley; brother-in law David Manley (Katerina); and an aunt, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by mother Elfriede Byorni. Some believe Kerstin joins gods and warriors in Elysium after her valiant battle with multiple sclerosis. A tree will be planted with her ashes at Arcosanti, where she fell in love with Bob. The memorial is 10 am Sat. Jan. 20 at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy, 16537 N. 92 St. “Semper honos nomenque tuum laudesque manebunt.” Your honor, your name, your praise will live forever. From Kerstin’s favorite book, “The Aeneid”