Mary Thumann

Mary Agnes Thumann
Born: July 28, 1959
Died: October 24, 2023
Survived by Kathryn (Kitty) Baldridge, Miriam Thumann, Carlene Thumann Prezioso (Randy), Chris Thumann (Catherine), Helen Thumann (Claire), Margaret Baldridge, Sandra (Bunny) Klopping (Hank), Tom Baldridge, Jimmy Baldridge, Ronny Baldridge (Karlene), nieces and nephews Cade Thumann (Edie Magana), Cole Thumann, Margaret Surridge (Jonathan), Christopher Klopping (Caroline), Kimi Klopping, Cort Klopping, Paul Klopping (Valarie), AJ Baldridge, Joshua Baldridge (Ashley), Jason Baldridge (Ali), Jamey Freed (Seth) and 14 great nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her father Linard Thumann, niece Caitlin Thumann, father-in-law Paul Baldridge, brother-in-law Wes Ford, and sister-in-law Judi O'Neal.
Mary passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
Mary was born in Wharton, Texas and raised in Houston. She got her Bachelors degree in Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin, her Masters in Counseling from University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and her Masters and Doctorate in Linguistics from Gallaudet University. Mary retired from Gallaudet University after 20 years where she began as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, became faculty in Interpreting and Translation, and completed her career as a tenured professor in Linguistics. She was a certified ASL interpreter who provided workshops all over the country.
Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2018. In February 2020 she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Throughout her radiation and chemotherapy treatments and surgical procedures, she remained strong and rarely complained. She benefited from her membership in the Smith Center's Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) group. Group members noted that despite the severity of her cancer, Mary was extraordinarily positive and was always thinking of others.
Mary was a precious gift and we are lucky to have had her in our lives. She was always kind and saw the best in everyone. Mary had a love of road trips and traveling. She especially loved going with Kitty to their home in Abuquerque, New Mexico. She enjoyed baking and scrapbooking. Her homemade brownies and chocolate chocolate chip cookies were always a big hit and frequently requested. Mary had a beautiful smile and you could see her strength reflected in her eyes. People often thought of her as a quiet and shy person, but really she was a deep thinker and was often hilariously funny.
Mary was known as an excellent teacher who cared about her students. Students commented about her passion for teaching, investment in their learning and concern for their wellbeing. She challenged students to take on others' perspectives and to critically examine their beliefs and practices. Mary was a role model for many of her students who currently have careers in the interpreting and linguistic fields.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Mary's name to the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (Smithcenter.org/donate), or DeafDAWN (deafdawn.org/donate). The family intends to have a celebration of Mary's life in the Spring.
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