Mae Rosaline (Gibson) Thorne, 74, of Leonardtown, MD peacefully passed away in her sleep on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at her home.

Born July 27, 1934 in Bushwood, MD, Mrs. Thorne was the daughter of the late Thomas Laurie and Essie Mae Owens Gibson.

Mrs. Thorne lived in Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI before returning to reside in Leonardtown, MD for 45 years. She was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy in Leonardtown and attended Nazareth College in Nazareth, KY for her undergraduate work. She received her Master's degree in British Literature at Marquette University in Milwaukee and did further graduate work At Roosevelt University in Chicago. She taught at St. Michael's High school in Chicago for four years and also taught at Margaret Brent Middle School, St. Mary's Academy and Chopticon High school in St. Mary's County, while at Chopticon she directed the senior class plays and was a mentor for the Drama Club.

Mrs. Thorne was a member of the choir at Our Lady's Church in Medley's Neck, MD for 15 years and was the organist and choir director for 13 of those years. Her hobbies were working crossword puzzles, reading, composing hymns and Christmas carols for the various members of her family and writing Christmas stories for her children when they were young and now for her grandchildren.

Mrs. Thorne is survived by her husband of 41 years, George F. Thorne, Jr., children; George F. Thorne, III of Denver, CO, Thomas L. Thorne, ( Dr. Holly Beth Clark), of Salt Lake City, UT, Rose E. Thorne, (Edward Keegan), of Arlington, VA, grandchildren; Cassidy R. Clark and Milo T. Thorne, siblings; James H. Gibson, (Sue), of Bushwood, MD, Mary E. (Betty) Williams of Mechanicsville, MD, Helen C. Hewitt of Bushwood, MD, Sophie B. Zimmerman, (Leon) of Bushwood, MD, Professor Aloysius Gibson of Chicago, IL and Joseph W. Gibson, (Melanie) of LaPlata, MD, also survived by a myriad of nieces, nephews, other extended family and devoted friends.

Mrs. Thorne was preceded in by death her brothers Francis DeSales Gibson and Thomas Laurie Gibson, Jr. She will be greatly missed by all.

Family will receive friends for Mrs. Thorne's Life Celebration today, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 from 5 to 8pm in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. where prayers will be recited at 7pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 10am in Our Lady's Catholic Church, Medley's Neck with Father Thomas LaHood officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers for Mrs. Thorne will be; George Thorne, III, Thomas Thorne, Edward Keegan, Lawrence (Jack) Williams, Jr., Tony Laurel and Robert Stancil. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the pro-life organization of your choice, and to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.