Mary Louise Thompson-Hurst, 76, passed away March 15 at Providence Alaska Medical Center surrounded by her family. She was born on April 14, 1932 to Leonard and Lorene Foster in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Mother graduated from high school in Oklahoma and attended college for 4 to 6 years in various studies during her life. Her first husband, Carl, was with the FAA and they were stationed at Galena in 1965, Haines in 1967 and finally calling Anchorage home in 1970 where they raised their three young sons. Mother retired from the state of Alaska, D.O.L. in the late 1970s; owned and operated a sheet metal shop with her second husband, Dean, and her three sons in Wasilla and were co-operators in Gallery 20 an Alaska artists shop. In late 1994 Mother and Dean were able to achieve her dream of opening her own shop, Gallery of Gifts, in Anchorage.

Mother was truly an Alaska pioneer who enjoyed beachcombing, berry picking, camping, hunting, fishing, gardening, playing cards, board games and puzzles with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to paint Alaska wildlife and scenery and design and make Alaska gem stone jewelry. Mother’s caring, nurturing and compassionate nature will be missed by family and friends, but Mother remains in our hearts and our thoughts with every passing day. We are comforted by knowing she is in Heaven with Our Lord.

Mary Hurst

Mary Louise Thompson-Hurst is survived by her sons and their wives, Terry and Linda Thompson; Kevin and Teena Thompson, son, Timothy Thompson and Tammy Brown, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and was looking forward to the birth of her tenth great-grandchild, and loyal companion Tigger all of Alaska; mother, Lorene Foster, aunt, Norma Jean and step-children Tammy and David Hurst all of Oklahoma. Darryl Thompson of Washington. Mary Hurst was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Foster, husbands; Carl Thompson and Dean Hurst, sister Melba June and step-son Leonard Hurst, pets, Lady and Pepe’.

Mother requested that there be no viewing or memorial. There will be a graveside service at 1 p.m. on Monday at the Wasilla-Aurora Cemetery. Pall Bearers will be her sons, Terry, Kevin and Timothy Thompson and grandsons, Christopher and Michael Thompson. Arrangements are being handled by Helen with the Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.