06/09/2026
Mary Ellen Brown Thorn
Although she always claimed she was born in a cranberry bog, Mary Ellen Brown Thorn, formerly of Cambridge, Ohio, was indeed born in a hospital in Bridgeton, New Jersey on March 20, 1929, and grew up in Vineland, New Jersey. Mary came in like a lion during a First Day of Spring snowstorm that year, and since the hospital was short staffed, her dad Horace helped in her delivery. Mary enjoyed the prestige of being the baby of the family until her handsome brother Bill arrived on the scene a few years later. Her husband Jim always joked that Mary would be late to her own funeral, but Mary was never one to be rushed. She made her way to heaven on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the remarkable age of 97.
Mary was preceded in death by: her mother Marie Bernadette Miller Brown and father Horace Trowbridge Brown, her beloved husband of 47 years and prominent Cambridge funeral director James “Jim” H. Thorn, her sisters and brother and their spouses, Sarah “Sally” Hamilton (Don) of California, Nancy Bedell (Jack) of New York, and Horace “Bill” Brown (Patricia) of Minnesota. She is also preceded in death by her confidant Alice “Grammie” Upton, her nephew, Ben Brown and niece Katie Hamilton. During many a sibling rivalry game of “who lived in the best state?” Mary always defended the Buckeye State (although she conceded that New York really does have the prettiest fall foliage, and California has the best wine). Mary will also be reunited in Heaven with the many dogs she loved and cared for along her life’s journey.
Mary, graduated from Fairmont High School, Fairmont, West Virginia, and later attended Marietta College, with a concentration in art. While in Cambridge, Mary proudly volunteered for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Cambridge High School Athletic and Music Boosters, Golden Rule, YMCA, and Meals on Wheels program. She was a member of Christ Our Light Parish, Cambridge Ohio, (communing with her Sunday Breakfast Bunch) and attended Nineth Street Methodist Church. Mary loved to travel throughout the U.S. and Europe. She had a great affinity for birds, reading countless books on her Kindle, Kennedy’s Bakery, wildflowers, a ring-necked pheasant she named Francis, and her son-in-law’s homemade carbonara and pizza.
After living in Cambridge for over 60 years, Mary became a Hoosier, residing in Batesville, Indiana, before moving to Newark, Delaware. During her time in Newark, Mary resided at Juniper Village at Newark (formerly The Vero). It was at her final residence that Mary formed many new and meaningful friendships, especially with her dearest friend the late Barbara Martino. A founding member of “Table 8,” Mary enjoyed the company of this diverse group of smart and beautiful women, especially their nightly serenade of “So Long, Farewell.” Among the many activities Mary enjoyed was attending Monday morning Mass, listening to live music with her Scottish friend Charlie, Saturday morning coffee talk, salon time, eating copious amounts of ice cream, chocolate, and jelly beans, and spending quality time with her four-legged friends Charlie the Dog, Luna, Conrad, and visits from Paws for Pets. The jewel in her crown during her time at Juniper was capturing First Place in the Halloween Costume Contest during her first year of residency. Mary’s family would like to thank the compassionate team at Juniper Village at Newark, her very special caregivers, and Vitas Healthcare/Hospice of Delaware for providing Mary with a safe and loving home.
Mary “Nannie” Thorn is survived by her five children: Jim H. Thorn (Ella), Nancy E. Thorn, Mary K. Cambron (Michael), Lawrence T. Thorn (Heidi), and Ellen A. Thorn. Grandchildren: Andrew Cambron (Dr. Georgina Ramsay), Nolan Cox (Emily), Rory Stelzer (Jacob), Eva Thorn (Gabriel Magerkurth), Jacob Thorn (Jessica), and Sarah Thorn (Ian Griffith). Great Grandchildren: Adelaide Cambron, Matilda Cambron, Augusta Cox, Ella Cox, Hugh Stelzer and Ricky Stelzer. Mary is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Christ Our Light Parish, Cambridge, Ohio, with visitation starting at 10am on Friday, June 12, 2026, with Mass to follow at 11am. Graveside services will be in Northwood Cemetery, Cambridge, Ohio – Mary’s favorite walking spot for the family dogs Max and Chancy, who were NEVER off-leash. The No Pets Allowed sign never stopped the dogs. Never stopped Mary.
Funeral arrangements by Thorn-Black Funeral Home. Donations in Mary Thorn’s memory can be made to Blood Cancer United (bloodcancerunited.org), Christ Our Light Parrish, Cambridge, Ohio, or any local SPCA organization of your choosing.
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