HOLLISTON/NATICK: Verna E. (Hodgson) Thurston, 85, passed away peacefully at her home with her family at her side on Sunday, April 4, 2010.
She was born in Natick on November 30, 1924, the dear daughter of the late George S. Hodgson and Emily (Hepworth) Hodgson.
She was the beloved wife of 62 years of E. Paul Thurston of Holliston formerly of Natick. Devoted mother of Richard Thurston and his wife Amy of Bellingham; Susan Farrell and her husband Michael of Enfield, NH and John Thurston of Attleboro. She was the cherished grandmother of Shannon Estey; Alyssa Sousa; Jerilyn Houlding; James Thurston and Karla Thurston. Loving great-grandmother of Livianna Sousa; Hayden Houlding and Aiden Sousa. She was the sister of the late Earl, Donald, Clifford, David and Alvan Hodgson. She was the aunt to several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Thurston had resided in Springfield in her early years and then moved to Natick and graduated from Natick High School. She resided in Natick for over 40 years before moving to Holliston 20 years ago. She was a secretary for many years in the medical records department of Leonard Morse Hospital and retired as a secretary with several Optometrists in the Metrowest area. She was a lifelong member of the Fisk Memorial United Methodist Church in Natick and was a past president of the W.S.C.S. of the church. She loved music, sang in the church choir, played the organ and the piano and everyone knew of her love for knitting. She had a passion for her flower gardens and was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her family. She will be missed for her love of family and life. She saw the bright side of everything.
Memorial visitations will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010 from 5:00 to 7:00 in the Bryant Memorial Chapel of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (OFF Route 30), Cochituate Village, Wayland.
Her memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 10:30 am with the Reverend Seth Asare officiating.
Interment will follow in the Thurston family lot in Dell Park Cemetery in Natick.
In lieu of flowers, her family suggests that memorial gifts in her memory be sent to Fisk Memorial United Methodist Church, 107 Walnut Street, Natick, MA 01760 or the Metrowest Home Care and Hospice, 85 Lincoln Street, Framingham, MA 01702.
For online condolences and directions, please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.