TOPEKA — Mary Jane Thomas, Topeka, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, at McCrite Assisted Living, Topeka. She was 82.
She was born Oct. 26, 1940, near Burlingame, the daughter of Benjamin Paul and Lillian Exzelda (Charland) Stout.
Mary married Cecil Leonard Thomas in November 1958. Following her marriage, she lived most of her life near Dover. She and Cecil enjoyed 26 years of marriage before his death in 1984.
She was a homemaker, and enjoyed cooking, tending her flowers and garden, collecting Snoopy memorabilia, and she was a huge George Strait fan. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting with the Dover Ladies’ Aide group at church, as well as outings with The Dover Dollies. She later worked for and retired from Jostens, Topeka, working in all facets of school yearbook production.
In addition to Cecil, Mary was also preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Benjamin Paul Stout Jr.
She is survived by her sister, Phyllis Lafferty, and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Piper Funeral Home, St. Marys, handled the arrangements. Funeral services were 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at the Dover Federated Church, followed by burial at the Dover Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dover Federated Church and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536.
Condolences may be left at PiperFuneralHome.com.
