Oneida Dispatch 
Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999 
 
  Suffield, Conn - Mary (Gilbert) Thurston, 84, of Suffield, Conn., died 
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999, at a local nuring home. 
  She was born on April 14, 1915, in Stockbridge, N.Y., the daughter of the 
late Warren J. and Bertha Holdridge Gilbert and lived in Suffield over 49 
years. 
  Mrs. Thurston was the wife of the late Herman I. Thurston. 
  Mrs. Thurston graduated from Cazenovia Junior College and Syracuse  
University. 
  She retired from the state of Connecticut as a Senior Social Worker. 
  Mrs. Thurston also worked for the town of Suffield as a Social Worker. In 
that position, she was instrumental in setting up the Minibus Program and 
establishing the Day Program for the Elderly and Disabled and the Meals on 
Wheels Program. 
  Mrs. Thurston took leadership roles for the AARP (American Association of 
Retired Persons), The Mapleton Literary Club and various positions for the 
First Church of Christ in Suffield, including the Women's Fellowship Group 
and Sunday School. 
  Mary showered many kindnesses on her friends, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces 
and grand-nephews.