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Agate Harbor
A memorial service will be held for Mary Metler Thomas on Saturday, May 26, 2018 in Eagle Harbor, Michigan. The service will be at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea at 11:00 AM, with interment following in the Pine Grove Cemetery and a luncheon following in the Eagle Harbor Inn.
Mary Metler Thomas, 86, a summer resident of Agate Harbor, passed away on May 6, 2017, at Valley View Senior Living in Harlingen, Texas, following a short illness.
Mary was born on September 18, 1930, in Dearborn, Michigan, a daughter of the late Margret and Joseph Gourd. She graduated from Dearborn High School, then received degrees from Bowling Green State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Wayne State University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Masters of Arts, and an Educational Specialists Degree in English and reading.
Mary was united in marriage to Clinton E. Thomas on October 2, 1984.
Mary taught in Michigan for over 25 years from grade one through graduate university level. She worked in Swaziland, Africa, for two years with Eastern Michigan University, the United States Agency for International Development and the Swaziland Government. With Brookdale Community College, New Jersey, she worked in Ecuador for 15 months and she worked in Malaysia with the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities.
She participated in World Reading Congresses in Sinapore; Hamburg, Germany; Dublin, Ireland; and Hong Kong. She co-authored over 25 textbooks fostering more efficient and comprehensive reading in English and for learning English as a second language. She was loved and well-respected by her colleagues and students.
Mary will be remembered for her crackerjack personality, her infectious sense of humor, and her ability to make those around her feel cherished. She never went anywhere without wearing a matching hat especially those with sparkles. She always had a sewing project in progress and loved to quilt. She belonged to the Photographic Guild of Detroit, earning various awards with her photographs. Reading and traveling were always a part of her life.
She is survived by her husband; a sister, Jean Christensen (Richard) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; their children, Jon Christensen (Cindy) of Neenah, WI; Susan Roush (Bill) of Gardnerville, NV; and Carol Christensen (Randy) of Oshkosh, WI; a sister, Margret Malone (John) of Laurium, Michigan; a step-daughter, Bonnylyn Proffitt (Mike) of New Center, Indiana; step-grandchildren, Thomas Arbaugh (Becky) of Dexter, Catherine Birch (Nick) of Breckenridge, and Sarah Lacy of Grand Rapids; 5 step-great grandchildren and numerous cousins. She is also survived by a step-daughter, Susan Henry (Bob) of Brighton, and step-son Paul Metler (Susan) of Ypsilanti.
A thank you to the employees of Valley View for taking care of Mary. Also, a thank you to her special care givers; Hilda Espinosa, Leticia Garza, Crystal Sandoral, and Ruby VeLeon for their loving care and Kindred Hospice in Texas for always being there when they were needed.
Preceding her in death were her parents and one step-son Leslie Edward Thomas.
The family is planning a memorial service and celebration of Mary’s life to be announced at a later time. Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Eagle Harbor, Michigan.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
