“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm. 18: 1-2
There are only a few in this vast world that can leave such an amazing impact on others that lasts an eternity. Mary Thomas was this type of person; someone that you would only meet once in a lifetime. She had the type of personality that would brighten up any heart and atmosphere through her smile, heartfelt words and heart to serve anyone in need.
It is with great sadness that the bereaved families of the Thomas, Collins, Landford, Thom-Manuel, Thompson, Bedell, Awode and Setons announce that Ms. Mary Wurehde Collins Thomas passed away peacefully in the afternoon of Saturday, October 8, 2022. Mary passed peacefully with her loving daughter by her bedside at their residence in Lynn, MA.
Mary Wurehde Collins Thomas was born unto the union of Mr Thomas Bodio Collins and Mrs Toh Himieade Landford Collins and grew up part of her life in Lagos, Nigeria where she schooled to become a nurse and worked as a nurse. She later moved to Harper, Liberia. During her time in Harper, Mary continued her profession as a nurse at J.J. Dossen hospital and also held other roles such as being an x-ray technician. She raised her children in Harper (Cape Palmas / Maryland) along with her niece Martha Poonie Collins as one of her daughters from 1st grade onward. She spent most of her time in Harper. While in Harper the Liberian civil war broke out and as a result Mary fled Liberia to Tabou, Ivory Coast with her youngest brother Bodio Collins and her youngest daughter Comfort Thomas and grandchildren Leesolee Smith and Prince Smith. In 1992 she was invited to the United States by her late brother Reverend Emmanual G. Collins and has lived in the states since; approximately 30 years with her daughter Atim Thomas in Lynn, MA. While in Lynn she made a big impact on the community. Atim’s house was a revolving door as Mary helped to take care of many of the children in the Lynn community whom till this day view her as their own grandmother. She had such a kind and loving spirit to her and she will be dearly missed by many.
Mary leaves behind her siblings, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchild, nephews, nieces and a host of friends in the USA, Liberia and across the world. She has 8 siblings of which 4 are predeceased. Her siblings are Father Emmanuel G Collins (predeceased), Dr Daniel Sie Collins (predeceased), Annie Collins Popoola (predeceased), Grace Awode (predeceased), Charlotte Yimdah Collins Bedell, Annie Collins Newton, Catherine Bedell Woods and Thomas Bodio Collins. She birthed 6 children of which 1 is predeceased. Her children are Winifred Eyong Thomas (predeceased), Edem Thomas (Nigeria), Nerisa Thomas Gawolo (US), Atim Thomas (US), Daniel Sie Bedell (Liberia) and Comfort Collins Thomas (Liberia). Mary was blessed with 16 grandchildren of which some are (spouse) Bella Petula Taynie Thom-Manuel (Thomson), Timothy Thomas, Philip Nyema Seton iii (Sade), Thomas Mitchell (Korpo), John Collins Thompson, Mary Ngozi Brown and Prince Smith. She was also blessed with 1 great great grandchild and 12 grandchildren with one of the eldest being Dennis Nyong Effiom. Amongst her many nieces and nephews are Akin Popoola, Grace Collins McCrae, Emmanual G. Collins Jr, Christopher Collins, Annie Bedell Benjamin, Eugene Bedell, J. Wah Doe Bedell Jr, Oretha Collins, William Nhoueh Landford, Buster Mondeth, Myra Mondeth Joseph, Martha Poonie Collins, Bebee Awode, Gertude S Collins Jones, Abraham Parker, Siede Modupe Bedell, Ambrose Cooper, Lucinda Cooper, Decontee, Musumani Woods and many others.
Wake Keeping
Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home
157 Maple st. Lynn, MA 01904
Friday, October 28, 2022,
4:00pm – 8:00pm EST (Eastern Standard Time)
Live Stream link: MaryThomasWakeLiveStream
Funeral Service
St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church
74 S Common st. Lynn, MA 01902
Saturday, October 29, 2022,
9:30am – 11:00am EST (Eastern Standard Time)
Live Stream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLevIuQQink
Interment
Immediately after service at the address below
Pine Grove Cemetery
145 Boston st. Lynn, MA 01904
Repast
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
43 Newbury St, Peabody, MA 01960
Saturday, October 29, 2022
1:00pm – 8:00pm
Contacts
Atim Thomas (Daughter): +1-781-513-3848
Nerisa Gawolo (Daughter): +1-215-626-8126
Comfort Collins (Daughter): 011-231-88-884-6187
Daniel Sie Bedell (Son): 011-231-88-884-6187
Edem Thomas (Son): 011-234-810-310-6473
Martha Poonie Collins (Niece): +1-781-962-1300
Bella Petula Thom-Manuel (Grand Daughter): +1-781-244-4571
Philip Nyema Seton iii (Grandson): +1-617-230-5292
John CO Thompson (Grandson):
Charlotte Bedell (Sister): +1-240-380-6484
Annie Collins Newton (Sister): +1-763-458-3979
Thomas Bodio Collins (Brother): 011-231-88-651-7621
William Nhoueh Landford (Nephew): +1-413-519-9952
Hotel
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
43 Newbury St, Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 535-5000
Holiday Inn & Suites, an IHG Hotel
1 Newbury St, Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 535-4600
Hampton Inn
59 Newbury Street – Route, 1 North, Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-2020
Airport
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Our deepest and sincerest condolences for your loss, Josh & Gina Hernandez