Mary was born in upstate, NY on July 15^th, 1921 to Mary and Charles Thomas. Mary had five siblings, Martha Harris (predeceased), Grace MacFarland (predeceased), Leonard Thomas (predeceased), John Thomas (predeceased), and Peter Thomas (surviving brother). Mary was married to Edward J. Nitschke (predeceased) for 64 years.  They had one daughter, Debra A. Nitschke-Shaw and a son-in-law, Edward H. Shaw II of Hillsborough, NH. Mary was immensely proud of her family. She had two grandchildren, Nathaniel H. Shaw and Lindsay L. Nye and four great grandchildren, Campbell, Peyton, Ayla, and Hatley.   Mary loved animals and leaves behind her faithful feline, Ben. 

Mary worked for The General Electric Company and the Niskayuna School District in Niskayuna, NY. Mary was an avid golfer and walker.  Mary participated in the Granite Ledges Annual 5K run/walk, and was the winner in her age bracket for the past two consecutive years. Mary loved her family and would do anything to bring joy to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  “Bissy”, you will be greatly missed. 

In lieu of flowers, Mary wanted to help those who helped her or brought joy to her life. WAG (animal rescue) PO Box 572, Weare, NH 03281; Concord Regional VNA, Hospice Program, 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord, NH 03301; and, Future In Sight (formerly Association for the Blind), Attention: Sally, 25 Walker Street, Concord, NH 03301. 

Services will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 11 am in the NH Veterans Cemetery Chapel in Boscawen, NH. 

The Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service Henniker, NH is assisting the family.