VICTORIA O'GORMAN-THALER

O'GORMAN-THALER, Victoria (Sears) 97, a retired psychiatric social worker. Born in Boston, and brought up in Braintree, MA, she lived most of her life in Chestnut Hill, summering in Wellfleet, MA. She is survived by five children: Richard W. Thaler, Jr., Thomas W. Thaler, Roderick P. Thaler, Warren S. Thaler and Victoria Thaler Cabot, eleven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a nephew, Richard W. Sears, Jr., and a niece, Joan Sears Porta. She was predeceased by two husbands, Dr. Richard W. Thaler and Vincent G. O'Gorman. Known professionally as Mrs. Thaler, and to close friends as Vicky, she graduated from Thayer Academy, then from Walnut Hill School (South Natick, MA) and The Erskine School, before graduating from Tufts University. She earned a Masters in Social Work from Boston University. A pioneer in the field of Social Work, (an original LICSW), Mrs. Thaler cared passionately about the elderly, and for thirty years managed the Doane Fund, (while also Director of Social Services at The Home For Aged Women, now Goddard House, in Jamaica Plain) to lend financial support to retired/disabled nurses and other needy women in greater Boston. An excellent tennis player and strong sailor, Mrs. Thaler opined that "learning to sail also taught me about 'staying on course' in life. It taught me how to steer through obstacles while keeping the markers and goals in focus. The course can get rough. You've got to trim your sails to get the maximum wind to keep on course. Everyone is in the race together. You have to maximize what you have to reach your goal on water and in life!" Having been widowed at a young age, she raised her five children with this strong sense of optimism, reflecting that "difficulties are opportunities." She found time to help others, was a courageous woman, cognizant of her yankee roots and determined to give to society as best she could. In her "retirement" years, she ran Golden Years Counseling Service out of her home in Chestnut Hill. She made house calls, just as her late husband, Dr. Thaler had done. She was a loving mother, who, some said, "conducted from the orchestra pit," taking enormous pleasure in her progeny and the enduring friendship of her brood's peers, due to her unfailing kindness to all--young and old. She often referred to an anonymous quote: "Look at yesterday with gratitude, today with pride and tomorrow with hope." Burial will be private. A memorial service is being planned for October in the Leslie Lindsey Chapel of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 15 Newbury Street, Boston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Hearth, Inc. or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. (Hearth, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to the elimination of homelessness among the elderly, via a unique blend of prevention, placement and housing programs, is designed to help elders find and succeed in homes of their own). For guestbook, please visit: www.folsomfuneral.com.