Mary B. Thomas, 93, of New Bedford, died Monday July 14, 2008 at home following a long illness. She was the wife of the late George A. Thomas, who died September 25, 1991, shortly after the couple's 51st wedding anniversary.
Mary was born in Clinton, before moving with her family to Leominster where she spent the majority of her younger years. She was the youngest of six children (brothers Phil, Charles and Ralph and sisters Grace and Alice) born to Catherine and Wilfred Dufort, and graduated from Fitchburg State Teacher's College before beginning a long and distinguished teaching career in both New Bedford and Acushnet.
In addition to teaching first grade at the Sarah D. Ottiwell School in New Bedford for several years, Mary also taught at a number of other elementary schools in the Whaling City before accepting a principal's position at the Mason Burt School in Acushnet. She continued to teach until her retirement in the late 1970s and was the recipient of the Friends of Education Award which is sponsored by the Bristol County Educators Association.
Following her retirement from full-time teaching, Mary continued to serve in the role of substitute teacher until she reached the age of 81. On September 8, 1994, her fellow teachers surprised Mary with a birthday party at which more the 200 people attended.
Survivors include her two sons, Walter "Buddy" Thomas, senior sportswriter for The Standard-Times, and Robert F. Thomas and his wife Marsha, all of New Bedford; five grandchildren, Michael Thomas and his wife Michelle, Kristen Lancaster and her husband James, Susan Moreira and her husband Paul, Shawn Thomas and his wife Jodi, and Mary-Ellen Cerce and her husband Keith. Mary is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Colin, Riley, Kyle, Kathryn, Brooke, Lily, Abby and Jake.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 9 AM in Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Community Nurse and Hospice Care, P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.