Culver City Observer -

MARY JANE THOMAS née Beaver age 81 died peacefully on August 23, 2017 in Culver City.

She was born July 2, 1936 in Pittsburgh. She was predeceased by her parents John E. Beaver and Katherine McLaughlin Beaver, sister Helen Sobieray, and her beloved son Dylan Thomas. Mary Jane graduated from South Hills high school and received her BA from Mount Mercy College in Pittsburgh. She worked as a social worker in Pittsburgh before moving to California. She attended Santa Monica College to obtain her RN degree. Her nursing career consisted of long term positions at St. John's Hospital and the Visiting Nurses Association in the field of home health care.

In 2014 she married her longtime partner Nancy C. Clarke. They were Culver City residents for over 35 years. Together they were avid travelers, adventurers and theatre goers. They met and sponsored the education of a young boy in Africa, he is now in Medical School. She was a great reader and loved her book group of retired nurses. Mary Jane was active in the Culver Palms YMCA senior groups. She was admired for her Irish wit and charm.

Mary Jane is survived by her spouse Nancy Clarke, stepdaughter Karen Clarke, nephews Edmund Sobieray Jr. and spouse Sandra Ortiz, John and Regina Sobieray, as well as a large circle of friends.

A funeral mass will be celebrated in Holy Redeemer Chapel at Holy Cross Cemetery Culver City on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 10 am followed by internment.