Thelma J. MacBrien, 80, a resident of Dutchess County for almost 40 years, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. She is reunited with her beloved husband and of love of her life, Frank, who predeceased her on September 13, 2009.

Born in England on March 16, 1934, she moved to the United States in 1956. She was the daughter of Leonard and Alice Lillian McDonald Tagg. Thelma was the owner and operator of Loving Hands Yarn Shop in Poughkeepsie for many years. She was a past member of the Readsboro Club in Vermont, where she and Frank had retired to in 1990. After Frank's death, Thelma moved back to Dutchess County.

She enjoyed spending her free time pursuing various activities such as gardening, bird watching, painting, reading and knitting. Thelma had a deep connection to her faith, and church has always been an integral part of her life. She taught Sunday school, co-led the youth group and sang in the choir while she was a member of the Arlington Reformed Church. Since moving back to the area, she has been a member of the Hopewell Reformed Church where she was active with the Christ Care Group. She also became an active member of a local book club.

Anybody who knew Thelma knew she was defined by her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love in her children; Mark and Bonnie MacBrien of Waterbury, VT, Matthew and Suzanne MacBrien of Salem, VA, Theresa and Scott Bradley of Clinton Corners, Elizabeth Rugar of Arvada, CO, Michele and Steve Stenson of Saline, MI, and Tammy and Don Downs of Hopewell Junction; her grandchildren and their spouses, Luke and Whitney MacBrien, Gavin MacBrien and fiancé Amber Austin, Trevor and Brea MacBrien, Thomas and Hillary Lange, Corey and Lacey Rugar, Jennifer and Don Satterly, Christopher Rugar, Brenden Kormann, Jason Davis, Allison Davis, Gregory and Heather Stenson, Amelia Stenson, Daniel Stenson and Griffin Downs; and her great-grandchildren, Grayson and Camden MacBrien, Emma and Ava Lange, Brayden, Acelynn and Avery Rugar, Wyatt Satterly, Roman Davis, Mackenzie and Madden Stenson.

Family and friends are invited to visit with the family on Wednesday from 5-7pm at the Hopewell Reformed Church, 143 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction. The funeral service will follow at 7pm with Rev. Taylor Holbrook officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hopewell Reformed Church, American Heart Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In the spirit of the season, you may also bring an unwrapped toy that will be donated to Toys for Tots in Thelma's memory. For driving directions, online condolences and memorial donations, please visit Thelma's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.