Mary Anne Odom Tharin

Mary Anne Odom Tharin

July 23, 1937 - January 22, 2024

Virginia Beach, Virginia - Mary Anne Odom Tharin (a.k.a "Nanny"), 86, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2024, in Norfolk, VA. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, she was the only daughter of the late Robert Edwin Odom and Anne Moore Odom.

Mary Anne was a graduate of Greensboro College in elementary education then earned a master's degree in special education at Appalachian State University. She was a fierce advocate for children and adults living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. She taught in the Mecklenburg Public Schools in Charlotte, N.C. before working at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction where she was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 1998 by then Governor Hunt and designated for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.

Mary Anne is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Carl Dhu Tharin who passed in 2005 after 46 years of marriage. She is survived by her three children, William "Billy" Tharin, Chris Tharin, and Karla Anne Tharin Hakansson, her four grandchildren, Ruby Tharin Harvey, Stella Tharin, Sam Hakansson, and Matthew Hakansson, her beautiful great-granddaughter, Gwendolyn Gray Harvey, and daughter-in-law, Susan Pleasants Tharin.

A Funeral Service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, 8 February 2024 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Owl Research Institute (owlresearchinstitute.org); if you knew our mother you know she loved owls. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hdoliver.com.