Mary Ethel Carter, 72, of Sandoval passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, Thursday, January 11, 2024, at her home. She was born on November 4, 1951, the oldest child of five, daughter of George Jr. and Elizabeth (Rogler) Thrall in New York.
Survivors who will mourn the loss of this lovely lady include her beloved family, her daughters, Debbie Justin of Sandoval, and Diane (Jeff) Kortsch of Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Cody Justin of Sandoval, Dylan (Sicily) Justin of Sandoval, and Brandi Justin of Sandoval; great-grandchildren, Gracelynn, Emersyn, and Bryer; brother, John (Danielle) Thrall of New Jersey; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Marguerite Gibson; and her brothers, George (Patty) Thrall III, and William (Vicky) Thrall.
Mary was a natural, compassionate caregiver who was proud to carry on her family’s legacy serving in the nursing profession, after her Mom’s own nursing career of 40 years. She worked as an RN, floor nurse for Barnes Hospital and Belleville Memorial Hospital, continuing to pursue two master’s degrees while working and raising her family. After retiring from Belleville Memorial Hospital, Mary chose to become a traveling nurse, working in South Carolina, New York and other areas where she could stay and visit with family, while she provided much needed nursing care to patients in these states. After retiring a second time from her traveling nurse duties, Mary continued to share her love of learning and nursing expertise by teaching junior and senior nursing classes at SIUE. She also wrote a protocol on asthma in children. She was recognized by her colleagues with several awards for her amazing nursing career.
When Mary was able to find a free moment, she loved to fill it with creating and making the world around her beautiful. She was a master gardener, growing bountiful vegetable and colorful flower gardens. Mary had magic in her fingers, quilting one-of-a-kind quilts and she was able to crochet anything. She had a gift of painting and creating anything crafty. Mary was an amazing, loving Mom, Grandma and GiGi, who had the most
welcoming, comfortable home that everyone, friends, and family alike loved to hang out, and visit. She was of the Methodist faith. Mary will always be fondly remembered for her dedication, endurance, kindness, wit, generosity, and love. She made the world a better place with everything she did selflessly for others.
A celebration of life service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval with Pastor R.C. Merten officiating. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time to offer support and words of comfort to Mary’s family from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday at the funeral home in Sandoval. Memorials may be made in Mary’s honor to the Sandoval Shalom Community, the Sandoval Fire Department and/or Siteman Cancer Center. Online condolences and memories of Mary may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
