Mary Louise Thetford

Mary Louise Thetford, age 80, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025 at Tuscan Gardens Assisted Living facility in Venice, Florida. Born on February 8, 1945 in New Haven, Connecticut, she was the eldest daughter of the late Leon A. Williams and Mary Christina Fries Williams. Mary, known as Mary Lou to close friends and family, was a cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend, whose warmth, generosity, and infectious smile will be sorely missed. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Norman, and their daughter Christine Durst (Jeff). She also leaves behind her loving sister Linda Lee Shackelford; her beloved granddaughter Eleanor Grace Durst; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. She loved them all deeply and was so proud of their talents and accomplishments!

Mary was an educator her entire life, earning a doctoral degree (EdD) in English Education and a Masters in Library Science. She taught English at several colleges and universities in both New Jersey and Connecticut and was the Head of the Circulation Department at the Yale University Medical Library. For 8 years, she was a librarian at Hamden Hall Country Day School in Connecticut, where her daughter was a student. She worked in both the Lower School and Upper School Libraries there, and loved being part of the Hamden Hall community. Mary was the kind of teacher who always went the extra mile to help her students, and sincerely cared about helping people do research and find answers to their questions. She even taught classes at the library on how todo research! During retirement, she volunteered for many years at the Venice Public Library, where she specialized in helping people with their genealogical research.

Mary was a long-time member of Christ Lutheran Church in Hamden, Connecticut, and an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Nokomis, Florida since she and Norman retired to Florida in 2009. At OSLC, she served as Vice President of the Church Council, and also volunteered to write customized prayers for people on the prayer list.

Mary Lou maintained many longtime friendships, including with neighbors, coworkers, church friends, her college sorority sisters from the Arguromuthos Sigma ("Argo") sorority, and friends from the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

As an avid reader from an early age, Mary Lou was always happiest with a book in hand, no matter where she was! In retirement, she was a member of multiple book groups (and the founder of one of her own) and was a local authority on all of Shakespeare’s plays. As a lifelong Anglophile, she knew about all the kings and queens of England, and reveled in visiting the key sites in England, Scotland, and Wales. One of her favorite Shakespeare quotes was “My library was dukedom large enough” (from The Tempest).

Mary enjoyed relaxing at the beach, listening to music, eating pizza, learning new things, and traveling with family and friends. She was devoted to her loved ones, always wanting to help others and put their needs before her own. Despite many health challenges over the course of her life, she always found ways to adapt and thrive. She was patient, forgiving, gracious, kind, and resilient. She will be deeply missed by all those who loved her. Memorial services to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Mary Lou would be pleased with donations to support your local library!