Teacher and Friend
May 18, 1930 - April 4, 2024
Iva May Speed was born May 18, 1930, to Irene and George Speed and was blinded at the age of 8 years old by a childhood accident. She was enrolled in the Oregon School for the Blind in 1938 and attended from 3rd grade through Junior High. She then transferred to a Salem public high school from which she graduated.
After acquiring a guide dog named Queenie, she began college at the Oregon College of Education from 1951-1954. All through her college years she received numerous academic awards. Her senior year she was chosen for recognition in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. While at college she was a member of several sororities and organizations and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education.
In 1955, she was the first blind teacher to be employed by Seattle Public Schools working with visually impaired children. She eventually moved back to Oregon to teach at the Oregon State School for the Blind.
On June 20, 1959, Iva married Wally Menning, and they later became parents to two wonderful children.
She eventually went back to work at Oregon Commission for the Blind as a Living Skills and Resource teacher. She passed away on April 4, 2024. She left behind a great number of former students who remember her as a great teacher.
Iva was a member of the American Council of the Blind of Oregon for more than 50 years. She and Wally Menning contributed significant time, talent, and treasure to our state affiliate as well as the local Willamette Chapter. Both will be greatly missed but fondly remembered.
Watch Iva Menning's Angels' Tribute video on YouTube here