Obituary for Mary Rosaria Thornburg (Marcant)
Mary Rosaria Thornburg, 92, died at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.
Mary was born August 14, 1926 in Akron, Ohio to Frank and Lucy Marcant. She grew up in Akron and attended St. Vincent Church and graduated from St. Vincent High School.
Mary met Jim Thornburg at the Scullen Club from St. Vincent’s. Jim and Mary were married at St. Vincent on May 28, 1949. They remained devoted to each other for 55 years until Jim’s death in 2004. Mary and Jim lived most of their lives in Akron. After Jim’s, death, Mary moved to Cuyahoga Falls and resided most recently in Tallmadge.
Mary was employed as a court stenographer and as a secretary for Kelly Services, Goodrich Tire and Rubber Company, St. Thomas Hospital and the Akron Board of Education. In 1998 she retired from the Board of Education after 30 plus years of service.
Mary was a true “Voice of the People.” She felt strongly in her moral and civic duty to speak the truth about issues and events in the community and around the world. Her voice echoed the values and opinions of many who read them. She inspired her children to follow in her footsteps speaking, working, and voting for the rights of all people, especially those marginalized by our society.
Mary was a long time member of St. Martha Church, and then Blessed Trinity Parish, where she served as a lector, funeral meal committee member, and Communion Minister.
Mary’s greatest joy was her family. She was the mother to 8 children, grandmother to 13 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 13.3 great-grandchildren. She was our home base, our shining example of selfless love, and she will be so missed. Our sorrow is gladly accepted as it is a reflection of the gift with which we were blessed.
Mary is survived by her children Mary (Andre) Caruso, Marilyn Luzny, Jim Thornburg, Patricia
Hengle, John (Susan) Thornburg, Robert (MaryEllen) Thornburg, Ann (Paul) Merendino, Jeannie Thornburg; Grandchildren Scott (De) Caruso, Lisa (Bryan) Larocca, Andrew (Sarah) Caruso, Kory (Joe) Laurene, Jamie (Steve Eckert) Thornburg, Nathan (Carrie) Hengle, Jennifer (Brian) Speanburgh, Jonathan Hengle, Kristin (Oliver Chandler) Thornburg, Alyssa Thornburg, Paul (Tabitha Spencer) Merendino, Jr, Lucy (Matthew) Dyer and Tamara (Steve) Nickol; Great Grandchildren Joseph, Luke, Isaac, Ella, Morgan, Miles, Peyton, Addyson, Abigail, Liam, Lexi, Grace, Mason and baby Nickol as well as many nephews, nieces cousins and friends.
In addition to her parents and parents-in-law, Mary is preceded in death by husband, Jim Thornburg, daughter-in-law MaryKay Thornburg, son-in-law Michael Hengle, sister Annabella Holland, baby girl and baby boy Marcant, niece Deborah Holland and several aunts and cousins.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday, Dec. 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home (811 Grant St.). Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church (300 E. Tallmadge Ave.) followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS TO BLESSED TRINITY FOOD PANTRY
Mary was born August 14, 1926 in Akron, Ohio to Frank and Lucy Marcant. She grew up in Akron and attended St. Vincent Church and graduated from St. Vincent High School.
Mary met Jim Thornburg at the Scullen Club from St. Vincent’s. Jim and Mary were married at St. Vincent on May 28, 1949. They remained devoted to each other for 55 years until Jim’s death in 2004. Mary and Jim lived most of their lives in Akron. After Jim’s, death, Mary moved to Cuyahoga Falls and resided most recently in Tallmadge.
Mary was employed as a court stenographer and as a secretary for Kelly Services, Goodrich Tire and Rubber Company, St. Thomas Hospital and the Akron Board of Education. In 1998 she retired from the Board of Education after 30 plus years of service.
Mary was a true “Voice of the People.” She felt strongly in her moral and civic duty to speak the truth about issues and events in the community and around the world. Her voice echoed the values and opinions of many who read them. She inspired her children to follow in her footsteps speaking, working, and voting for the rights of all people, especially those marginalized by our society.
Mary was a long time member of St. Martha Church, and then Blessed Trinity Parish, where she served as a lector, funeral meal committee member, and Communion Minister.
Mary’s greatest joy was her family. She was the mother to 8 children, grandmother to 13 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 13.3 great-grandchildren. She was our home base, our shining example of selfless love, and she will be so missed. Our sorrow is gladly accepted as it is a reflection of the gift with which we were blessed.
Mary is survived by her children Mary (Andre) Caruso, Marilyn Luzny, Jim Thornburg, Patricia
Hengle, John (Susan) Thornburg, Robert (MaryEllen) Thornburg, Ann (Paul) Merendino, Jeannie Thornburg; Grandchildren Scott (De) Caruso, Lisa (Bryan) Larocca, Andrew (Sarah) Caruso, Kory (Joe) Laurene, Jamie (Steve Eckert) Thornburg, Nathan (Carrie) Hengle, Jennifer (Brian) Speanburgh, Jonathan Hengle, Kristin (Oliver Chandler) Thornburg, Alyssa Thornburg, Paul (Tabitha Spencer) Merendino, Jr, Lucy (Matthew) Dyer and Tamara (Steve) Nickol; Great Grandchildren Joseph, Luke, Isaac, Ella, Morgan, Miles, Peyton, Addyson, Abigail, Liam, Lexi, Grace, Mason and baby Nickol as well as many nephews, nieces cousins and friends.
In addition to her parents and parents-in-law, Mary is preceded in death by husband, Jim Thornburg, daughter-in-law MaryKay Thornburg, son-in-law Michael Hengle, sister Annabella Holland, baby girl and baby boy Marcant, niece Deborah Holland and several aunts and cousins.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday, Dec. 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home (811 Grant St.). Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church (300 E. Tallmadge Ave.) followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS TO BLESSED TRINITY FOOD PANTRY