Theresa Thurston

Jun 12, 2927 -

Nov 16, 2021

The world was Blessed with the presence of Theresa Marie (Turley) Thurston. Our Theresa peacefully received her Angel wings on Nov. 16, 2021, while a resident of Marlow Manor in Anchorage, Alaska at the age of 94 awesome years.

Theresa's story is one of adventure and love. Theresa's father, Walter Sr. Turley Sr. and her mother, Branislava (Berta) Turley migrated from Krakow, Poland to find a better life for family. Her father settled in Kemmerer, Wyo. because of the coal mining there. After he secured employment he arranged for his wife, Berta still living in Poland, to join him in the U.S.A. Berta arrived in New York on Feb. 24, 1926. Theresa joined the family on June 12, 1927, in Kemmerer, Wyo. and she never really slowed down from there. Theresa later became a big sister to her brother, Walter Jr. and then to her sister, Margaret.

Her childhood was filled with many special memories. As a youth, she fondly remembers her time with Mr. J.C. (Cash) Penny. It was in Kemmerer, Wyo. that J.C. Penny opened his 1st department store to sell work clothes to all the miners. Noon time found Mr. Penny taking his lunch to the town square park. There children would gather around him to listen as Mr. Penny read to them all. This was a common occurrence, Theresa and other youth would often sit on his lap and listen to the stories.

Other samplings of her wonderful life include many Jeep rides at the ranch with Bing Crosby as they drove down the long dirt driveway for mail. She met a handsome man at the boarding house where she lived named Donald B. Thurston, eventually marrying him June 9th, 1952. Dondald and Theresa came to Alaska in 1950's and settling "out of town" in a subdivision named Rogers Park.

It was in this Rogers Park home that she realized students with special needs were not being represented in public school. After much lobbying with public officials. Congressman Nicholas J. Begich Sr. was soon sitting at her Rogers Park kitchen table. It was there that Theresa and Congressman Begich together wrote the Alaska bill which would allow all students with special needs to have the same opportunity for public education. In 2000, she was given the honor "American Mothers, Millennial Mother of the Year." This also gave her the joy of representing Alaska at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Donald and Theresa remained at the Rogers Park home and watched the city of Anchorage grow up around them. They were blessed with three children: daughter, Barbra Thurston, son, Paul Thurston and son, David Thurston. Theresa and Donald were devout patrons of the arts. Theresa's tenure as President of the Anchorage Opera Guild was filled with beautiful music and made her heart happy. Performances at the PAC were seldom missed. Their love of travel took them all over the world and gave them many happy memories.

After many years of service at Geneva Woods Medical where she served as Office Manager, she finally retired. Community and her Catholic faith were very important to her. She will be fondly remembered and missed by her numerous friends from Saint Patrick's Parish in Anchorage where she faithfully served on many committees. Her dear friends from the JOY Community at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish will miss her smiling face and encouragement Also missing her will be her fraternal Brothers and Sisters from the Order of the Eastern Star Anchorage #8 and Denali Chapter #16.

Theresa loved the youth and was appointed the honor of Supreme Deputy for Alaska, for the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. They will all remember her hugs and miss her many contributions. Theresa was thrilled and proud when she was awarded the International Order of The Rainbow for Girls Grand Cross of Color. Her 30+ years as a volunteer for the Providence Hospital Auxiliary enriched her soul. They will truly miss the support and dedication she gave them. The fellowship she shared with her friends, young and old, from the ARCA community will never be forgotten

A treasured reflection from her children: Barbra, "Mom raised her sons to be strong, charismatic, caring and no different to anyone." Paul specifically remembers his mom's baked cookies and David remembered the wonderful halibut and Polish sausage she made for them; the car rides to her office; and the jobs she assigned to them including shoveling snow and helping her sew.

Theresa is preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald B. Thurston; her parents, Walter J Turley Sr. & Bertha Turley; brothers, Walter J. Truly Jr and John Turley; sister, Geneva Turley; and Margaret McDonald.

Surviving Theresa and honoring her memory are her 3 children, Barbara, Paul & David; God daughter, Sandy Polsky and Warren Polsky; dear friend, Janet Pierce, and loving friend, Carol Wolfe; and her nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Theresa would be honored if a donation to a charity of your choice was given in her name.

Theresa's life, will be honored at a Memorial Mass at St. Patrick's Parish 2111 Muldoon Road, Anchorage, AK 99504, on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Because of Covid 19, the mass will also be aired live at the two websites: Facebook.com/stpatsak also on Saint Patrick's Parish Anchorage Face book page.

A very special THANK YOU to the staff at Marlow Manor Assisted Living for the kind and loving care they provided Theresa. Hugs to everyone who made Theresa smile during her 94 awesome years.

God Bless You