Vonetta Sirita Seneeka Mangaoang-Brodine

Vonetta Sirita Seneeka Mangaoang-Brodine

Vonetta (known as “Netta” to friends and family) was born on March 20, 1978 in Seattle, Washington.  She attended Seattle Public Schools and graduated from Rainier Beach High School in 1996.  She went to Seattle Central College (1995-1996, 1998), Seattle Pacific University (1996-1997), South Seattle College (1999-2001), and the Evergreen State College (2001-2002, 2004-2005), earning a BA in Liberal Arts.

Netta’s first job was as a helper clerk at Stock Market in Rainier Beach.  She then worked as a barista (Lottie Mott's, Tully's on Aloha, and the Broadway Safeway).  After working as an administrative assistant at a law firm, where she perfected her skills at organizing people and processes, she got a job as a legal assistant at the Attorney General's office.  She moved to the offices of the King County Council in 2007, working in various administrative and administrative management positions, and eventually became a pro tem hearing examiner in 2017, hearing cases on land use, animal complaints, and taxi driver licensing.  She left the Council in late 2019 due to multiple health issues.

Netta was always involved in the community.  One of her first activities was coaching girls softball in Rainier District Little League when she was 17.  At 19 she became a coach for boys baseball in the Senior Division.  She was a volunteer for LIFE Act Immigration Workshops across Washington State (2001); mentor for Steps Ahead (2003-2005); member of the World Affairs Council (2006-2008); co-secretary for the North Delridge Neighborhood Council (2011-2013); Board Member of APACE (2014-2015); and volunteer for One America Citizenship Clinics (2016-2020).

She was an avid gardener and she designed several gardens, including one at Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church, where she was ordained as an Elder.  She also created a prayer ministry in the larger community, along with a women's bible study group. 

After a prolonged struggle with mental illness, Vonetta took her own life on August 23, 2022.  She is survived by her father Marc Brodine (Janine), mother Juana Mangaoang, sisters Rosario Sprague (Curt), Francesca Mangaoang-Brodine and Jennifer Hughes (Olin), brother Mark Mana’o (Jarrina), niece Maria Sprague, and a vast and loving family in the USA and the Philippines.  Her brother, Marshall Mana’o, predeceased her in 2015.

A memorial celebration will be held at 11 am on September 17 at the New Holly Gathering Hall in South Seattle.  Cards may be sent to Columbia Funeral Home.