Marion Thurston

Marion W. Thurston VIRGINIA BEACH - Marion W. Thurston, 81, passed away suddenly Oct. 15, 2009, in Virginia Beach, where she had resided since 1983 with her husband of nearly 62 years, Stanley King Thurston. She is survived by her husband; son, Mark Thurston and his wife Mary Elizabeth Lynch; daughter, Sharon Pittenger and her husband Mark; son, Lee and his wife Jane; brother, Hal Lankford and his wife Elizabeth; and sister-in-law, Martha Crawford. Marion was a devoted mother and she also cherished her role as grandmother to Sarah, Michael, Rachel, Benjamin, Melissa and Grant. She was predeceased by her brother, Robert L. Lankford; mother, Halcy Lankford; and father, Gilbert T. Lankford. Born in Kansas City, Mo., she lived her first 28 years in her home state. She graduated from high school in Lebanon and at the end of her second year of college married Stan on June 3, 1948. They met eight months earlier on a blind date in Columbia, Mo. During her first year of married life, Marion was a public school teacher but then turned her full attention to raising a family. Twenty years later she became an assistant librarian in a public elementary school, especially enjoying her chance to interact daily with young students. Twenty-three years of her adult life were spent in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., before she and Stan retired to Virginia Beach. Marion loved music, collecting antiques, and an occasional game of bridge. Her Christian faith was a guiding force in her life. She had an eye for beauty which was evident in each of her homes over the years, and she had a patient, gentle and compassionate way with people and with meeting life challenges. Her life continues to inspire family and friends and she will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held to celebrate and honor her life at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 1265 Sandbridge Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, her community church for 25 years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the church. Interment will be private. Condolences may be expressed at www.altmeyer.com.