Mary A. Thorley, nee Kozick, age 96, of O'Fallon, born August 1, 1914 in East Palestine, Ohio, passed away at home July 12, 2011.

Mary relocated to O'Fallon in July 2000 from Downey, Calif. where she and her husband owned a pottery refractory business. Prior to moving, she was an active member of the Downey United Methodist Church where she enjoyed bible study and fellowship with the women's group. She was also a member of the Buena Park Adult Chorus, with which she traveled locally and internationally, bringing the joy of music to nursing home residents and other audiences. Mary was an avid bowler and was a life member of the Slovene National Benefit Society. Prior to moving to O'Fallon, she traveled to Okinawa, Japan to visit her daughter and her family while they were stationed there with the Air Force.

She was preceded in death by her husband Edwin "Ted" B. Thorley of Staffordshire, England, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1912, her parents Peter and Frances (nee Kreznick) Kozick, immigrants from Slovenia, her brothers John, Victor, and Isadore Kozick, and mother-in-law Maria (nee Thompson) Thorley, who immigrated from England.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Judy and Dan Matarazzo of O'Fallon; granddaughter Trissa Marie Beintker and her husband Chad of Swansea; and great-grandson Aiden Beintker. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews across the country.

Memorial donations may be made to Family Hospice of Belleville, 5110 W. Main St., Belleville, IL 62226 or to any no-kill animal shelter of your choice.

A private memorial service will be conducted for the family with interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, Calif.