Marion Virginia (Fulbright) Thomas

Marion Virginia Fulbright Thomas, 84, of Manchester, CT. passed away peacefully on Friday, December 28, 2018 after an extended illness.  She was born in St. Louis, MO on August 31, 1934 to Irma Case Williams Fulbright and Wilbur Lloyd Fulbright; the family moved to nearby Webster Groves, MO when she was 11 years old where she spent the next 10 years.  She loved sharing stories of growing up there, like waiting on the porch steps with her sisters for her father to come around the corner at the end of a workday.

Marion graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, MO with a degree in journalism, where she was president of her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta.  After marrying Chester E. Thomas Jr., whom she met while attending the University, she worked in newspaper, radio, and television before raising her children.   She liked to recount the journalism projects she worked on including writing headlines and promoting a campaign for NBC’s Huntley-Brinkley anchor team.  She lived in many places from Amarillo, TX to Albany, NY for her husband Chester’s work as a geologist and hydrologist before settling in Manchester, CT. in 1965.

Marion had several personal interests. Her passion for the St. Louis Cardinals and the UConn Women Huskies was evident to all who knew her.   During the summer, she loved tending to her numerous gardens.  She found joy in many forms of music including classical, choral, showtunes, and operettas; The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was near and dear to her heart. Researching family genealogy was a personal mission for her, and she met many people across the country while searching for family records.  She was very active in her children’s education and scouting years.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Chester, her sons Eric D. Thomas and his wife Lisa of Coventry, CT., Glenn S. Thomas and his wife Sandra Pernal of N. Canton, CT., and her daughter Susan L. Thomas and her husband John P. Roche of Grafton, MA.  She also leaves her much loved grandchildren Emma, Olivia, Sophie, Daniel, Kevin, and Owen.  Marion is also survived by her sisters Shirley Lloyd Fulbright Kirby of Roswell, GA., and Judith Williams Fulbright Till of Webster Groves, MO., as well as several nieces and nephews.

Her family wishes to express its deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and aids who assisted her and her family over the past 4 months.

A celebration of Marion’s life is planned for the Spring.  She will be interred at East Cemetery in Manchester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to BSA Troop 25 in Manchester, CT or to a local charity.  To submit online condolences, go to www.manchesterfh.com.

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