Born on August 14, 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts, Mary Margaret O’Brien was one year old when the U.S. Congress finally recognized women’s right to vote and the first commercial radio broadcast in the US from Station KDKA Pittsburg.
Mary’s father was a fisherman of cod off the Outer Banks of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, places where both of her parents had emigrated and met in the early 1900’s. Her mother was a homemaker caring for Mary’s older sister, Kathryn, and in future years for her four younger brothers, Tom and Bill (twins), Charles, and baby brother, Earl.
She was 10 years old when the stock market crashed and the country experienced the Great Depression. Her father’s work as a fisherman kept them with healthy food and a great appetite for fish and seafood, especially scallops, cod, and halibut, her favorites. Mary graduated from high school in East Boston in 1936, took a job which she thoroughly enjoyed, as a waitress at Sharif’s, an uptown restaurant where she was well liked. It was here that she developed her love of cooking while sharing her charitable comradery.
When Mary turned 21 in August of 1940, she would vote in her first presidential election for Franklin Roosevelt. Mary, a life-long Democrat, and a lover of politics would pass that passion on to all of her children. That following year in December 1941, the Japanese would attack Pearl Harbor and the US would enter the Second World War. Sometimes turning 21 can be quite a year, one you don’t forget. Little did she know at the time that her future husband would come to Boston via the US Navy and their future would take them nearly 2000 miles across the country to the Midwest, a town called Kansas City. Mary would be a War-Bride. She met her future husband, Earl Thurman, a dashing sailor, through a mutual friend. The courtship was relatively short for war-time and they were married in 1944. When the war ended they would move to Kansas City, Missouri, to begin their lives together.
Mary loved card games, especially pinochle. Her wit was razor sharp. Anyone holding cards in those rounds much preferred to be on her side, as she would use her wry humor to joust against opponents and further thwart their clever strategies.
Mary advised and loved her husband of more than 50 years. When he was struck with ALS, she cared for him at home for six years in the house where she raised six children. Those children she showered with her deep well spring of unconditional love are eldest sons Earl Michael Thurman, Joseph Brien Thurman, Mark Aloysius Thurman, daughters Mary Kay Thurman and Carolyn Marie Thurman, youngest son John Vincent Thurman and one grandchild Rachel.
100 Years is hard to imagine in terms of the many things that Mary has seen – from Women’s suffrage, commercial radio, the last of the horse drawn ice wagons, to men walking on the moon, to all of the technological inventions we carry in our pockets. We observe not so much the loss of our dear Mother, but instead cherish the many gifts of love she has bestowed upon us. In gratitude eternal we hold her love in our hands. If possible, please give to the ALS Foundation, to whom Mary held gratitude for their kind assistance in caring for her husband.
Visitation and Service
A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 7th, from 5-7 p.m. at the Amos Family Funeral Home, with a rosary beginning at 5 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 8th at Good Shepherd Catholic Church 12800 W 75th St Shawnee, KS 66216, followed by burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.
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