Mary Rose Thornton

Mary Rose Villeburn was born in White Earth, Minnesota on May 10, 1948 on the White Earth Indian Reservation. She was raised in Sauk Centre, Minnesota where she resided until moving to the Tri-Cities in 1969. Mary passed away in her sleep at home in Richland, Washington on December 13, 2010.

Mary was a wonderfully gifted person and achieved many goals in her life time. She was especially proud of her Indian heritage and being a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

After arriving in the Tri-Cities Mary worked for Evans & Meek Veterinary Hospital, now Vista Veterinary, for Drs. Evans, Meek and Keatts and under their tutelage went on to become the first Licensed Veterinary Technician via the grandfather act in the state of Washington. Her love for animals, particularly cats followed her throughout her life. She will be sorely missed by her "babies" Jack and Duchess.

In 1984 Mary changed careers and went to work at the Purex and 222-S Analytical Laboratories at the Hanford Site as a Chemical Technologist until failing health caused her to go on disability leave in 1994.

Mary was a great fan of the National Football League and her favorite team for over 30 years was the Washington Redskins. Every Sunday during football season she would be glued to the television and anyone with any sense would know not to bother her while a game was on. One of her most fond memories was getting to meet Joe Gibbs and the team in Seattle on December 23, 1989. It was quite a sight to see, little 5 foot tall Mary surrounded by all those great big football players while she was telling them how to beat those Seahawks!

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Ethyl Curtis Villeburn, of Minnesota. She is survived by her brother Joe Villeburn, sisters Hazel Tusha, Cherry Schmidt and Karen Jim Vranek, her husband Daniel, son David Heather Call, stepsons Gregory Debbie Thornton and Kyle Artika Thornton, sisters-in-law Kathy Rod Burton, Janeen Scot Dabling and many cousins, nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary is one of those lucky people who never met a stranger, she could go anywhere and instantly end up with new friends. She had many special relationships who were "real" family to her, Kathy Ted Homme, Tina Keith Greenough, the Walker family especially Mary's "girls" Rose and Amber, Jim Sally Schmidt, and Sheri Nagao among many others.

Special thanks to In Home Medical, Tri-Cities Home Health, Visiting Angels, and Hospice at The Chaplaincy for their wonderful service and support to Mary during her last months of illness.

Viewing will be at Einan's Funeral Home at 915 By-Pass Highway, Richland, WA on Thursday, December 16, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. At the family's request there will not be a Memorial Service at this time.