Mary Thornhill

Mary (Ethel) Thornhill left this life Monday at 2:19 am January 19th. She was surrounded by her family, the most important thing in her life next to God.
Mary Ethel McCardie Thornhill was born to Wilmer and Ruth (Wells) McCardie on April on 29th, 1938 in Bufford Oregon. She grew up in Troy Missouri surrounded by her large family. She graduated from Buchannan High School in Troy. There she married Shelby Thornhill. To this union were born two daughters Janet and Vickey. Ethel moved to Independence enrolled her daughters in the Bible School and attend Labette Community College where she received her nursing degree.
Mom spent almost 20 years Mercy Hospital, her love was the OB department. We used to laugh at the fact that she had delivered more babies than the doctors. Later she worked at the Coffeyville hospital until her health forced her into early retirement.
She loved to cook and feed people. Everyone in her family had a special talent and hers was cooking. No one ever tried to compete with mom. She grew up on her parent's farm outside of Troy Mo. The oldest of five children. While her brother Willard and her mom did the outdoor chores Ethel took care of "the girls" and by the age of 7 was an accomplished baker and cook. Before moving to Kansas she was a homemaker that loved to cook for every church camp in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma she could. Feeding hundreds of people three meals a day was her way of showing her devotion to God. Mother was one of the most kind and giving people that we have ever known. Didn't matter if she knew you or not she would help. That was only one of the gifts God gave to the world through Ethel.
She lived across from the Bible School on South 10th Street and the students would come across the street to get a treat from her. When she could no longer stay alone she built an apartment at her daughters where she was surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Until recently she would wait for the bus each day so she could feed the children.

Her love of Jesus and serving him was the most important thing in her life. At an early age she gave her life to God. She devoted many hours to her church family and supported many missionaries andother causes for God. Ethel gave far more than anyone will ever know, Ethel always loved to attend church and was an example of what a Christian should be.

She is survived by her daughters Janet Ried and husband Randy of Elk City Ks, and Vickey Thornhill and Jack Bayless of Independence. Grandsons Harold Shelby Eytcheson and David Buie of Independence and Jacob Eytcheson and Theresa of Owasso OK. Great grandchildren Kaylan, Shaylan, Zachary, Thatcher, Emmeline, Rayna, Hayley, Kaitlyn, Jace, Ryan, and Mallikye. Jerni and Leah. Brother Willard McCardie of Troy Mo., sisters Berniece and Harold Knight of Oswego KS and Voleta and George Prior of Troy Mo. She was preceded in death by her grandson Zachary Eytcheson, her granddaughter Coty Vernon, Sister Betty Detmer, her parents Wilmer and Ruth, and nephew Dwayne McCardie.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm with family receiving visitors from 4:00 until 8:00. Her funeral service will be held Thursday January 2015 at 10:00 am at Potts Funeral home with interment at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Pall bearers will be her much loved nephews Scott, Nathan, Eugene, and Duncan and her almost grandsons Brian and Jarod.

Visitation

Potts Chapel
122 South Penn Ave.
Independence, KS  67301
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
9-8pm

Service

Potts Chapel
122 South Penn Ave.
Independence, KS  67301
Thursday, January 22, 2015
10:00am

Cemetery

Mount Hope Cemetery
Penn Ave.
Independence, KS  67301