Obit of Hearne, Mary Cecilia Thomas - Washington County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 11 Jun 2006 Return to Washington County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/washington/washington.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== ::Greenwood Memorial Park--Fort Worth TX Hearne, Mary Cecilia Thomas 1921 - 2005 Mary Cecilia Thomas Hearne passed away Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005, at the age of 83, following a year-long illness. Graveside service: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, in Greenwood Memorial Park, 3100 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, with the Rev. John Hennessey of Burleson officiating. The stars over Texas will glimmer a little brighter this week as one of its own shining stars slipped the bonds of earth to join heaven's majestic splendor. Mary Cecilia Thomas Hearne, a first-generation Texan, was born in Fort Worth Sept. 29, 1921, to English parents, Owen Thomas and Gertrude Mary Thomas. She was embraced by a loving household that included her uncle, William J. Marsh, and her aunts, Clare, Mae and Leonie Marsh. At age 4, she entered the Marsh Private School under the tutelage of her aunt and educator, Miss Clare Marsh. She continued her primary education by attending St. Ignatius Academy in Fort Worth. In 1938, she graduated from Our Lady of Victory Academy in Fort Worth. June 16, 1951, Mary was united in marriage with Richard A. Hearne at St. Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth. The couple relocated to Pasadena following a month-long honeymoon in Mexico City. Her husband pursued his career as an engineer with Phillips Petroleum, and on July 15, 1952, Mary gave birth to their first son, William "Bill" R. Hearne. On Feb. 4, 1957, she gave birth to their second son, Richard "Ricky" A. Hearne. Mary worked part time conducting exercise classes for the YWCA in Houston and later accepted a full-time secretarial position at Humble Oil and Refining Co. in Houston. The mid-1960s brought new job opportunities for her husband and the family relocated to Bartlesville, Okla., and later a variety of Midwestern states, which included Iowa and Nebraska. In 1979, the family was deeply saddened by the death of their youngest son, an emotional tragedy from which neither she nor her husband ever recovered. In 1983, her husband accepted a position with Bechtel Engineering in Houston, and the family once again returned to their Texas roots. She became an active supporter of the Houston Grand Opera and also pursued her passion for politics by joining the Texas Democratic Party. Following the loss of her husband, she relocated to the Pasadena area, where she remained until her death. Her quick wit and immeasurable zest for life will be greatly missed by all. Mary was preceded in death by her son, Richard "Ricky" A. Hearne; and husband, Richard A. Hearne. Survivors: She leaves to carry her memory forward a host of family members and friends, most especially her son, William "Bill" R. Hearne of Houston; other family members include her niece, Elizabeth Ann Rose of Houston; brother, Owen Edward Thomas and wife, Anne Marie of Dallas; their children, Mary Anne Thomas, Paul Thomas, Teresa Thomas, Edward Thomas, Linda White, Jean Buyes, Jim Thomas and Carolyn Murray, all of the Dallas area; and cousin, Barbara Foy and husband, Dennis of Liverpool, England. Published in the Star-Telegram on 1/30/2005. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Washington County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/washington/washington.html