Mary Lou (Cartwright) Thomas, age 92, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2019 at the Village at Hamilton Pointe in Newburgh, Indiana. She was born on March 18, 1927 in Galesburg, Illinois, the only child of Harold W. Cartwright and Kathryn Rose (Weitkamper) Cartwright.
Mary graduated from high school in Hannibal, Missouri and attended Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois, receiving her college degree in retail merchandising from Washington University in St. Louis. She married Harold Lynn Thomas on July 9, 1949 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hannibal, Missouri.
After college she worked for several years at the Famous-Barr department store in St. Louis as a fashion trainer. Later she worked as a teacher's aide in southern Illinois. For several years, she was also an advocate for the Marriage Tribunal office of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, Illinois. She retired in 1996, along with her husband, and they lived in Evansville, Indiana and St. Louis.
Mary was a lively conversationalist who had an interest in people of all walks of life. She was a longtime student of fashion. She also enjoyed reading biographies and daily newspapers. She took much happiness and pride in her two sons, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Lyle Thomas; and sister-in-law, Kathleen Miller. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Harold, and sons, Stephen (Wendy) of Evansville and Christopher (Diana) of Newport Beach, California; grandchildren, Oliver (Kristen) of St. Louis, Kathryn Rose (Andy) Hermann and Noah (Lauren) of Evansville, Indiana, Alexandra (Jordan) Berry of Charleston, S.C. and Amelia of Hermosa Beach, California; great-grandchildren, Meyer, Oliver, Hadley Rose, Baker, Isla Mae, Luke and Theodore.
The family is grateful to the staff of the Village at Hamilton Pointe Health for the care over the last several years. Private chapel and graveside services will be held for the family at Grand View Burial Park in Hannibal, Missouri. Memorials may be made to the Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana.