Margretta Deegan Thurston

April 15, 2022

Margretta Deegan Thurston passed away fittingly and peacefully on Good Friday, April 15, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Naugatuck, Connecticut on April 25, 1932, Margretta was the daughter of the late John and Mary Deegan. She graduated from Naugatuck High School and then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Connecticut, where she enjoyed cheerleading for her cherished Huskies. She married John J. Thurston in 1955 and resided in Wallingford for the remainder of her life.

She is predeceased by her parents, John and Mary Deegan; her husband John J. Thurston; her second husband Donald Monks; sisters, Patricia “Dee-Dee” Kennis and Judy Fitzgerald; grandson Matthew Thurston, and great-grandson Jameson Wlazlowski. She is survived by her children John ( Janice) Thurston,

Bob (Robin) Thurston, Tim (Eileen) Thurston, Patrick (Ellen) Thurston, Meg (Michael) Jakiela, Jane (Peter) Malone, Kate (Phillip) Luchini, and Susan (Tim) Traub; along with 31 grandchildren, whom she referred to as “Gramma’s Angels;” as well as 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews spread throughout the country. As a devout Catholic, Margretta was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish since its founding where she served as a lector, a CCD instructor, a member of the Ladies’ Guild and Catholic Women’s Council and was honored with the Archdiocesan Medal of Appreciation. Most importantly, she devoted her life to raising her eight children. She taught them to treasure the gift of life, to serve others, and to remain close to the Lord. Most of her favorite times were spent with her family in

Westbrook, Connecticut and Stowe, Vermont. She truly enjoyed all the holidays, making any who joined feel warmly welcomed. The tradition of telling the Christmas Story each Christmas Eve will continue amongst all of her grandchildren.

Margretta’s family wishes to express their very deep appreciation to the various caretakers at Pond Ridge at Ashlar Village, The Village at Kensington Place and especially heartfelt gratitude to all of her personal caregivers.

Her family will receive relatives and friends at The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., on Wednesday, from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10am at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 382 Hope Hill Rd., Yalesville. Friends are asked to meet directly at church. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck. In honor of Margretta’s service, dedication, and commitment to Our Lady of Fatima Church, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Church, c/o the parish center, 25 N. Whittlesey Ave., or the John J. Thurston Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1618, Wallingford, CT 06492.

www.wallingfordfh.com