Marie Hurley Thayer

Marie Hurley Thayer, 91, died in her sleep after a short illness Sunday, July 31, 2022. Marie was a lifelong Memphis resident. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James Manning Thayer, her brothers, Edward Michael Hurley, Thomas Hurley and Bill Hurley. She is survived by her sons, Dr. Gilbert Michael Thayer and James Manning Thayer III (Vicki). She is also survived by her grandsons, James Manning Thayer IV (Katie) and Garrett Michael Thayer, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Marie’s sense of humor was matched only by her strong faith, which was the foundation of her long and happy life surrounded by loving family and friends. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School. She married the love of her life in 1954, and soon moved with her husband and her first-born son to Germany where he served as Captain in the United States Air Force. He was killed in a military plane crash in 1958. Marie returned to Memphis, shortly gave birth to her second son, and despite being very popular and receiving a number of marriage proposals through the subsequent years, chose to remain a single mom so she could raise Gil and Jim (Thumper) as she knew their father would have wanted. She enjoyed reading, traveling, cooking, playing bridge and being a member of The Floral Friends. Through her volunteer efforts she contributed to the Madonna Circle, St. Dominic School for Boys, Meals on Wheels, and worked at the polls during local elections. She was a long-time member of St. Louis Catholic Church.

The family wants to thank Methodist Hospice for their compassionate care, in particular Nurse Rebecca and care-givers Diane and Stephanie.

Funeral services will be provided by Memphis Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at the Memorial Park Cemetery on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 10:00.

The family requests memorials are made to St. Louis Catholic Church in Memphis or Dorothy Day House of Memphis. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Marie Hurley Thayer please call Memphis Funeral Home Florist 901-683-8223 or visit the Memphis Funeral Home Sympathy Store.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Thayer family.