Mary Francis Thurston

Mary Francis Thurston, age 93 of North Huntingdon, passed away on August 7, 2026 at her home. She was born on February 12, 1933 in Manhattan, New York, a daughter of the late Joseph Zoller and Eva Gerber Zoller. Mary lived her early years in Brooklyn, the Bronx, but mostly Manhattan. She attended Washington Irving All Girls School and specialized in dress making and design. She attended Ridgewood Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn, NY East Side Pentecostal Church and was connected with the Azusa Street Mission and the Kenosha, Wisconsin movement. At the age of 17 she moved to Glassport and became the youth leader at Glassport Assembly of God for one year under R.W. Shambach. Mary was currently a member of Prayer Time Cathedral in White Oak for 72 years originally serving as the youth leader. She also taught Sunday School for over 60 years.. She worked as a seamstress for JC Penny's at several local malls including Eastland, Westmoreland, Greengate, Monroeville. In her free time, Mary loved to sew. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband in 2010 of over 50 years, Harvey B. Thurston II, by two brothers, Joseph and John Zoller and her daughter in law, Karyen Thurston. She is survived by one son, Rev. Harvey B. Thurston, one daughter, Sharon A. Thurston, and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JAMES W. SHIRLEY FUNERAL HOME, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon, on Tuesday from 11 AM to 2:30 PM. A funeral service will take place in the funeral home at 2:30PM. Interment will be private in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park.