Mary John Burnham Laverty, 90, of Lynchburg, VA died Monday, April 22, 2013, at her home with her family by her side. She was born February 27, 1923 in Lynchburg to the late Linden Kent Burnham and Mary Terrell Hughes Burnham. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent A. Laverty, to whom she was married for nearly 51 years. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Virginia Burnham Wallace and grandson, James Vincent Laverty, Jr.
Mary John is survived by four sons: Thomas Kent Laverty and wife, Nancy, of Alexandria, VA; James Vincent Laverty and wife, Martha, of Lynchburg; John Joseph Hughes Laverty of Lynchburg; and Robert Burnham Laverty of Flemington, NJ.
She is also survived by seven grandchildren, all of whom she cherished and adored: Mary Corinne Laverty of Arlington, VA; John Jacob Cary Laverty of Lynchburg; Preston Michael Laverty and Chance Scott Laverty of Gaston, NC; Robert Burnham Laverty, Jr. of Richmond, VA; and Charles Kent Laverty and William Allen Laverty of Lynchburg. Two nieces, Mary Lynn Wallace of Raleigh, NC and Madeline Ann Wallace of Lynchburg, also survive her.
Her husband, children and grandchildren were truly the core of her life, to which she committed all of her time, energy and love. Mary John was a strong matriarch for her family, and she never let a moment go by without thinking about how she could help a family member or friend with her love or prayers; her strength and guidance will be missed immeasurably. Mary John was also very dedicated to her church and her community, and she will always be remembered for her indomitable strength of will, her unshakable religious faith, her warm sense of humor, and her unquenchable thirst for card-playing and Rummikub.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to Centra Health Hospice for the kindness and care it provided to Mary John, especially to Allie Cowardin, whose professionalism, knowledge and kind heartedness provided comfort during her final days.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11 AM, Friday, April 26, 2013 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Monsignor J. Kenneth Rush officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 5 to 7 PM at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Holy Cross Catholic Church or Daily Bread.
Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg (434-237-9424) is assisting the family.