Mary Pinkett Thomas was born on December 19, 1929, in Vienna, Maryland, to the late William and Helen Pinkett.
Mary received her Master of Education degree from Xavier University of Ohio, and received her Bachelor’s degree, with Honors, from Morgan State University, in Music Education and English. She was valedictorian of her high school class in Vienna, Maryland.
Mary started her career as a music teacher in St. Mary’s County schools in Maryland, where she met her husband of forty-five years, the late William F. Thomas, Jr.
After leaving Maryland, Mary continued her career in music education in the Cincinnati Public Schools, where she was well known as an outstanding music teacher and a champion of the Orff method of child-centered music education. She had the distinction of leading the first elementary school choir and recorder group to perform with the full Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Music Hall. After her retirement from the Cincinnati Public Schools, she was an Adjunct Professor of Music Education at the College of Mount St. Joseph.
Mary traveled widely, including Europe, Africa, Australia and China, where she was a delegate to a US/China conference on education and multi-cultural music.
Mary continued her lifelong passion for learning by becoming a member of BetterInvesting. She was also a member of the OKI Tri-State Chapter Board, and helped establish the Cincinnati Model Investment Club.
Mary lived for many years in the Hollydale neighborhood of Springfield Township, where she was warmly regarded by successive generations of neighbors and friends.
Mary lived her last year near family in Texas, where she continued to use her musical talents in keyboard and voice at her retirement community.
Mary was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Gabriel Church in Glendale, Ohio.
Mary leaves to cherish her memories her two sons, Adrian and Bart, two daughters-in-law, Dorothy and Cheri, her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Pinkett, four grandchildren, Adrian II, Amanda, Desiree (Malcolm) and Bart II, two great-granddaughters, Jasmyne and Junia, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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