Mary P Thomas

February 23, 1942 – February 28, 2023

Mary Sellars was one of four children born to Capt. Padraig Sellars, an officer of Óglaıġ na hÉıreann (the Irish Defense Forces), and Maureen Sellars (nee Dowler), a nurse and publican, in Monkstown, County Cork, Ireland. She was raised and educated in Ireland and lived briefly in England before emigrating to the United States with her mother and siblings in 1959. She married Anthony Thomas in Pennsylvania in 1965 and together they raised two sons. She and her family moved several times over the years meeting many who would become life-long friends, despite changing geographies. She and Tony arrived in North Carolina in the early 90s and lived on Oak Island full time from 2014.

Mary will be remembered for her remarkable positivity even in the most difficult of times, her sense of humor and infectious laughter, and for enjoying an occasional off-color joke. Among her family, she was known to be great craic to be around, a sincere listener and genuinely caring person. She was loyal and devoted to those she loved, spiritual but not pious, proud but not hubristic. She was deeply grateful for everything life had offered her. She lived her life to its fullest.

She is preceded in death by Tony, her husband of nearly 57 years whom she cared for and comforted in his final days, and is survived by her sons G. Lester Thomas (Jody) and Christopher Thomas (Jennifer), three grandchildren (Georgia, Charlie and Finley), and her faithful companion Rosie the Aussie-doodle.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam”

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 31, 2023 in the Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral Home Chapel.

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

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.