Mary Grace Thompson

Mary Grace Thompson aged 93, died January 20, 2024, in Petaluma, CA. Mary was born in San Francisco, CA and was raised in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. Mary was a loving wife, mom, sister, aunt and nana. She married John Thompson in May 1950 and together they raised two children.

Mary’s favorite pastimes included family get-togethers, travelling (especially abroad), playing bingo and cards, baking Christmas cookies with her sisters and nieces, and going to the movie theater and Giants baseball games. Mary knew the value of community service and helping others. She was heavily involved in her children’s schools and served as an officer of the school’s Parent Teacher Association. As a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Mary engaged in several activities that helped others through charitable acts, nurtured her spiritual journey and created lasting friendships.

Mary’s many jobs included working at Guardino’s on Fisherman’s Wharf, a family-owned business started by her grandfather in 1908, and a security screener at San Francisco International Airport.

Mary was a 3rd generation Italian American who identified strongly with her heritage. She was the keeper of some of her family’s precious traditions, many of which involved religious holidays and the preparation of food. As common among many Italian Americans, Mary embraced Columbus Day as a symbol of her identity, pride and unity. She would sometimes celebrate Columbus Day by joining family members to watch the annual Italian Heritage Parade in San Francisco, as well as attending the festival of “La Madonna Del Lume” (also known as “The Blessing of the Fishing Fleet”), a Sicilian tradition of protecting fishermen that has been practiced in San Francisco for nearly a century. Lastly, when visiting family in Las Vegas, she loved the San Gennaro Feast, the largest celebration of Italian food and music in honor of Saint Gennaro, the Patron Saint of Naples, Italy. She would dance in the aisles with her grandchildren.

Mary joins her father Andrew, mother Angelina, husband John and three siblings, Faye, Frank and Dorothy Ann, in Heaven. Mary is survived by her two children, daughter Debbie and husband Glen; son Rick and wife Vickie; brother Bob and sisters Jackie and Jeannie; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A visitation is scheduled for Friday, February 2 from 5:00 PM thru 8:00 PM, which includes a rosary at 6:00 PM, at Keaton’s Redwood Chapel of Marin in Novato, CA. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, February 3rd at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, also in Novato, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following charitable organizations:

American Heart Association

Humane Society

Shriner’s Children

St. Jude