Mary Elizabeth (Thompson) Mahagan

Mary was born in Auburn to Clyde and Mildred Thompson on June 3, 1944, lived over 45 years in Skaneateles, and died at home in Syracuse June 2, 2022 after a fierce battle with cancer. She was 77 years old.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ray; siblings Rodney (Sebrina), Patrick (Debbie), Pamela (Michael); sons Donald, and Michael (Kimberley); daughters Toni (Neil), Sherry (Bill), Lisa (Randy); grandchildren Michael, Bill, Bobbie Ann, John, Bridget, Greg, Andrew; as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. 

Mary was a hardworking person who had several jobs before starting a daycare and teaching herself to reupholster furniture in order to be home for her kids. She enjoyed her job at EDR before landing at Brownlie Design where she forged friendships and a career as the office manager for over 30 years. As a young mother, Mary studied the Bible and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on 7/18/71.  An excellent student, Mary enjoyed deepening her knowledge of the Scriptures and helping others learn from them too. She even joined the Swahili-speaking congregation so she could help care for the refugee children in our area. She gardened to assist in feeding her family, but she always liked finding new and better ways to grow things. She also took great pleasure in keeping other gardeners guessing. She still chuckled many years later when telling about how she confounded one of the other members of the community garden when she planted peanuts and wouldn’t tell him what they were until the harvest. Mary could make rocks bloom. 
Mary’s energy was legendary. She worked sunup to sundown, and even when “relaxing” she was sewing or knitting for somebody. At age 64 she proved she could still keep up with the kids on the playground rings, demonstrating her upside-down technique. Making cookies with the kids was a favorite activity. Generations of children got to express their creativity on top of sugar cookies over the years. And there was never a question of whether or not there was a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies in the jar. 
Her knack for genealogy will be rewarded in the new world promised in the Bible, when she will get to meet all the people she so carefully traced back when they are resurrected. She sincerely looked forward to the fulfillment of Revelation 21:3-4: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them.  And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”  

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to JW.org.

A memorial talk will be given on Saturday June 11 at 3:00 on Zoom. Meeting ID: 873 5619 0694    Passcode: 909608

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