Obituary of Mary Ann Tibbetts

OBITUARY

1 Thess 4:13-18

 

Mary A. Thompson Tibbetts was born in Duluth, Minnesota and moved to Sun City, Arizona where she was called to her heavenly home just days after her 92d birthday.

 

She and her husband, Roland D. Thompson, had 5 girls, with the loss of their baby girl just hours old.  Together they raised four girls, all of whom have moved to warmer weather.

 

Mary was a determined, strong willed, and a very hard worker; which she got from her dad, who was a first generation immigrant.  Her mom got very sick when Mary was in the 9th grade, she quit school to care for her mother. Being the oldest girl in the family, she also did household chores, ironed shirts and was the mother figure. She had four brothers and one sister.

 

Mary loved her family and often times would do without so her husband and girls didn’t have to. She passed on her strong work ethic to her family, and we’d all agree she was a bit of a perfectionist!

 

Years after her husband died, she married Cecil Tibbetts.  His jolly laugh and open arms welcomed Mary’s family as his own.

 

Mary loved to sit and chat over coffee and a plate of her homemade cookies.  Then the cookies would be set aside and the table would be cleared; she’d then ask you what game you would like to play.  We are certainly not sure where her competitive side came from, but she was a fierce competitor!  She may have received that trait from having so many brothers; who were very protective of her and very loving. She had one loving, caring sister, whom all have preceded her in death.

 

Mary loved her gardens full of flowers. In Arizona she was able to have fruit trees and she would tell you her oranges were the best. She loved feeding and watching her hummingbirds, or as she called them, her hummers.

 

Mary leaves a legacy of love: She is survived by her four daughters; Judith M. LeMire; Barbara J. Allen (John), Peggy A. Marshall (Peter (d)), and Susan K. Engen (Jeff).

Loving Grandchildren: Stacie A. LeMire Britton, (Joshua); James D. Allen, (Julie); Michael P. Allen (Kari); Jonathan W.R. Allen (Carrin); Nicholas A. Allen, (Carissa); Jennifer S. Marshall Draper (Dustin); and Trisha L. Marshall.

 

She had the biggest smile when she told you she had 15 great-grandchildren! They loved their Granny Great!  And she always remembered their birthdays and loved hearing the stories and seeing new pictures.

 

She also had a special place in her heart for her sisters-in-law Diane and Lois, her niece Donna, among others, but all who have always been so much more than family. She loved them deeply.  She has many nieces and nephews and their extended families; which they continue their parent’s legacy!

 

As we blow her a kiss ~ this is not goodbye!  She is enjoying her heavenly body and the long awaited reunion of so many loved ones, especially Jesus!

 

The family thanks all the people who have enriched Mary’s life and been there for her, especially this past year. 

 

There will be A Celebration of Life Service for Mary, the family will post details at a later date.

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