Mary Alice Thompson

She was born August 25, 1936, in Emma, Indiana, to parents Clayton and Lucille (Faught) Martindale. Mary graduated from West High School in Columbus, Ohio, and later from Miami Valley Hospital Nursing School in Dayton in 1957. She worked for many years as a nurse before completing a Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University in 1976. Mary co-founded the Columbus MENSA Chapter.

The first of her four major passions in Mary’s life was her family: starting with her husband Rod Thompson, whom she married January 1, 1980; her children, Bruce (Aloma) McFarling of Beijing, China, Robert (Janeen) McFarling of Westerville, Ohio, Karen (Jim) Scher of Champion, Ohio, and Carolyn (Steve) Hall of St. Augustine, Florida; her grandchildren: Adam and Zachary Scher, Lauren and Matthew McFarling of Westerville, Brendan and Megan, plus her five great-grandchildren: Aiden, Cruz, William, Raelyn and Ollie; along with her siblings: Warren (Ginger) Martindale of Gold Canyon, Arizona and Nancy (Ron) Trout of Mesa, Arizona; her brother-in-law Frederick (Diane) Thompson of Aurora, Colorado, and her sister-in-law Susan (Richard) Williams of Hartville, Ohio.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband James McFarling, her son Douglas McFarling, her sister Susan (John) Gibson and grandchildren Serge, Natalie, and Franklin Soles.

Next was the passion she brought to her professional life. Mary practiced her craft and helped hundreds of people as a Nurse and personal therapy Social Worker in Ohio including Columbus, Mt. Vernon, Ravenna, and Massillon, and also in Georgia and Maryland.

Throughout life she had a passion for music. Band music at West High and Licking County, then mostly folk music. In addition to flute and piccolo Mary learned so many folk instruments they are too numerous to name. At one time she played in four NE Ohio folk groups in Salem, N. Canton, and Akron; for as long as she was able.

She married Rod and became his unofficial co-minister serving in Kent, OH, Augusta, GA, Adelphi, MD, the Ohio-Meadville District of the UUA, Raleigh, NC, Wayzata, MN, Toledo, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, Las Cruces, NM, and Greenville, NC. For many years she has been a devoted member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent.

Thanks go out to The Woodlands Staff for their love and care.

Her wishes for cremation are being honored and a memorial service will be held at her church once restrictions have been lifted. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Church, 228 Gougler Ave., Kent, OH 44240, or the Woodlands Comfort Corner Activities, 6831 Chestnut St., Ravenna, OH 44266. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.