Mary J. Thomes, 89, died on Sunday, September 12, 2010 surrounded by her family at the Dutchess Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Pawling.
Born in Bergenfield, New Jersey on April 1, 1921, she was the daughter of William H. and Mary Hines Regan. Mary graduated from Holy Angels Academy, Fort Lee, New Jersey and the New Jersey State Teachers College at Jersey City, New Jersey. She was elected to Kappa Delta Pi, the National Educational Honor Society, and Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1943.
She married Augustus J. Thomes in Bergenfield on September 9, 1943. Gus and Mary moved to Pawling in 1958 and immersed themselves into the community that they so dearly loved. Together, they established the Horn & Thomes Funeral Home where they loyally served many families. Today, this legacy continues as nine family members, encompassing three more generations, have dedicated themselves to serving as funeral directors. Mary was predeceased by her husband on December 26, 1991.
Mary was a teacher in the Stamford, Connecticut School System for six years and then taught in the Pawling Schools for many years until her retirement in 1976. She was a member of the Dutchess County Retired Teachers Association and the New York State Retired Teachers Association. She inspired her granddaughter and great-granddaughter to become teachers.
She was a faithful parishioner of St. John's Church, Pawling where she was a member of the Court Johannine, Catholic Daughters of America and the Rosary Society. Mary was a former president of the Pawling Health Association; a member of the Pawling Historical Society, Pawling Garden Club and the Pawling Grange #834; and a member and former president of the Pawling Shakespeare Club. She also belonged to the Pawling Rotary Club where she was a Paul Harris Fellow.
She is survived by her daughter, Marikay McHoul and her husband, Douglas of Hopewell Junction; her son, John Michael Thomes and his wife, Debbie of Pawling; her grandchildren, Lori and Peter Cassidy, Bonnie and John Wiegard, Heather and John Sulca, Sara and Michael Guilbeault, Mary Ann and Karl Menuau, Angela and Dan Thomes-Klug, Doug and Stephanie McHoul and Shaun Thomes; and her great-grandchildren, Megan, Loretta, Kathryn, Carolyn, Jacob, Allison, Corey, Matthew, Karl, Meghan, Madelyn, Jadyn, Samantha, Claire and Nolan.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Horn & Thomes Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. John's Church, 39 East Main Street, Pawling followed by entombment in St. John's Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of Dutchess Center for their loving care and support of our mother and grandmother. Memorial donations may be made to Dutchess Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare, (c/o Maxine for the Nurses and Aides who care for Mary Thomes), 9 Reservoir Road, Pawling, NY 12564 to honor their dedicated staff.