Obituary

Mary E. “Shirley” Thomas, 81, Hastings, entered the gates of Heaven on March 26, 2013. She spent her last precious moments on earth in her home surrounded by her loving husband and family praying, listening to favorite music, singing, and reminiscing.

Born October 23, 1931, in Hastings; she was a daughter of the late James and Edith (Kline) Cunningham. She was also preceded in death by a son, Brian Thomas; granddaughter, Katelyn Long, brothers, Russ, Mandy, Paul, Joe, Gerald, and Eugene Cunningham; sisters, Gert Endler and Betty Letizia.

Shirley was the loving wife of 60 wonderful years to John J. Thomas, whom she married July 12, 1942, mother to children, Cheryl (Kurt) Long, Ehrenfeld, Sandy (Joe) Owens, Hastings, Bruce (Vi) Thomas, Tyrone, Lori (Lee) Donoughe, Ebensburg, Lisa (Jim) Lantzy, Sterling, VA, Tina (Pat) Maggi, State College, loving grandmother to, Kent, Keith and Korey Long, Lindsey Sowers, Dana Ranck, Scott Owens, Ryan, Christopher, and Brett Donoughe, Abby, Katie, Jaimee, and Claire Lantzy, Lauren, Tara, Nicholas, and Nathan Maggi; and ten great grandchildren; sister to, Grace Schall, Margaret Kopera, Hastings, Agnes Krill, Rita Cimo, Florida; and Aunt “Shirley” to many nieces and nephews.

Shirley worked at the Barnesboro Five and Dime and Van Heusen Shirt Factory in Barnesboro while she waited for her John to return from Korea. The next years of her life were spent being a patient loving mother of seven children.

Shirley had a lifetime of sewing enjoyment, creating wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, Barbie doll clothes, her children’s holiday dresses, even her own clothing, tote bags and countless others. She created her own ceramic keepsakes for over 30 years and attended many craft shows sharing her treasures with others.

She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Hastings Red Hatters, Senior Citizens, “Holy Rollers” Bowling League. She enjoyed many moments with her husband, family and friends on the backyard swing.

Friends received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm Saturday at Easly-Hindman Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Hastings.

A funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Burial at Church Cemetery.

Arrangements in care of Easly- Hindman Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care”. Condolences may be sent to www.HindmanFuneralHomes.com