Marilyn Wright Thomas

Marilyn Wright Thomas, 81, of Springfield, died at 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at Villa East Nursing Care Home. Marilyn was born June 16, 1926 in Springfield, the daughter of Harry E and Nina Carney Wright. She married Ross S. Thomas on August 30, 1948 She graduated from Blessed Sacrament grade school in 1940 and Sacred Heart Academy in 1944. Additionally, she graduated from Springfield Junior College and received her Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Missouri, where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. For about ten years, she was a teacher at Sacred Heart Academy. In addition to volunteering at St. John's Hospital, Mrs. Thomas was a member of Literary Tea Society and Kenquesters book clubs. She especially enjoyed her hobby of genealogy for many years and playing bridge with her husband and friends. Mrs. Thomas was a charter member of Christ the King Parish. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Wright, and a brother-in-law, William C. Staab. She is survived by her husband, Ross; her son, Mark R. (wife, Paula) Thomas of Sherman; her daughter, Linda (husband, Karl) Keldermans of Virginia; four grandchildren; one brother, John M. (wife, Joan) Wright of Ann Arbor, MI; two sisters, Eileen (husband, Frank) Metzger of Manchester, MO and Nancy Staab of Monroe, LA; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2008 at Christ the King Church, 1930 Barberry Dr., Springfield, IL 62704 with Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz, celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to St. John's Hospital, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, IL 62702 or American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.