Obituary for Thyra Waite
Thyra Mack Detweiler Waite
Cutler
Thyra M. Waite, 88, passed peacefully June 8, 2019 at home to the next life surrounded by her family. Born June 30, 1930 in Chicago, IL to Thyra Smith Mack and Wilmoth Clay Mack. Thyra was known for her beautiful smile, dry wit, unconditional love and wisdom by all she met. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, making the world a better place by her presence in it. Throughout her life she was known for her love of beauty – furniture, artwork, flowers, and her lovely handwork. She had a gentle, quiet, non-judgmental way of inspiring those around her to see their best qualities and to develop their better selves, at times with profound results. Her legacy is one of love and faith.
She attended Ohio Wesleyan University as an art major. Marriage to her first husband, Herbert J. Detweiler, in March 1951 led to their move to Dallas, TX so he could attend seminary at Southern Methodist University. During their 10 years in TX, 4 of their 5 children were born. After Herb received his Master’s in Christian Education, they moved to New York State, where she lived for 48 years. Their 5th child was born during their years in Schenectady, NY; in 1977 they moved to Canandaigua. After studying the Baha’i Faith since their time in TX, she joined the Faith in 1978 and became an active member of the Baha’i community of Western New York. Thyra started her professional career at Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens in Canandaigua as a volunteer and eventually oversaw the volunteer program and special events, especially the weddings. After her divorce from Herb, she married Ray H. Waite in 1985. They were happily married until his passing in 2011. In 2016, she started to develop medical problems that required her to move to Cutler, ME to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Stan Corbett.
Thyra is predeceased by her parents; brother, Wilmoth Francis Mack; daughter, Deborah Mann and granddaughter, Cora Detweiler.
She is survived by Donna and Stan mentioned above; son-in-law John Mann of Hamilton, MT, grandson Peter Blase of Hollywood, CA; sons and their wives: David and Mitra Detweiler with daughters Saba and Nura of Germany; Richard Detweiler and Linda with children Alex, Greg, Dylan and Zahra of Medford, OR; Dan and Lori Detweiler with Tristan and Trevor of Canton, GA; and one great-grandson. Step-children and spouses Steven and Anne Waite with daughters Amelia and Hillary of Seattle, WA; Alicia and Clayton Beck with son, Daniel of Littleton, NH; and five step great-grandchildren.
We greatly appreciate all the love, support, and friendship of the residents of Cutler during the last few months. Community Health and Counseling Services Machias Hospice provided much appreciated physical and emotional support during Thyra’s last month to her and her family caregivers.
A celebration of Thyra’s life will be on June 29th at a time and place to be announced.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.mcclurefamilyfuneral.com
Cutler
Thyra M. Waite, 88, passed peacefully June 8, 2019 at home to the next life surrounded by her family. Born June 30, 1930 in Chicago, IL to Thyra Smith Mack and Wilmoth Clay Mack. Thyra was known for her beautiful smile, dry wit, unconditional love and wisdom by all she met. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, making the world a better place by her presence in it. Throughout her life she was known for her love of beauty – furniture, artwork, flowers, and her lovely handwork. She had a gentle, quiet, non-judgmental way of inspiring those around her to see their best qualities and to develop their better selves, at times with profound results. Her legacy is one of love and faith.
She attended Ohio Wesleyan University as an art major. Marriage to her first husband, Herbert J. Detweiler, in March 1951 led to their move to Dallas, TX so he could attend seminary at Southern Methodist University. During their 10 years in TX, 4 of their 5 children were born. After Herb received his Master’s in Christian Education, they moved to New York State, where she lived for 48 years. Their 5th child was born during their years in Schenectady, NY; in 1977 they moved to Canandaigua. After studying the Baha’i Faith since their time in TX, she joined the Faith in 1978 and became an active member of the Baha’i community of Western New York. Thyra started her professional career at Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens in Canandaigua as a volunteer and eventually oversaw the volunteer program and special events, especially the weddings. After her divorce from Herb, she married Ray H. Waite in 1985. They were happily married until his passing in 2011. In 2016, she started to develop medical problems that required her to move to Cutler, ME to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Stan Corbett.
Thyra is predeceased by her parents; brother, Wilmoth Francis Mack; daughter, Deborah Mann and granddaughter, Cora Detweiler.
She is survived by Donna and Stan mentioned above; son-in-law John Mann of Hamilton, MT, grandson Peter Blase of Hollywood, CA; sons and their wives: David and Mitra Detweiler with daughters Saba and Nura of Germany; Richard Detweiler and Linda with children Alex, Greg, Dylan and Zahra of Medford, OR; Dan and Lori Detweiler with Tristan and Trevor of Canton, GA; and one great-grandson. Step-children and spouses Steven and Anne Waite with daughters Amelia and Hillary of Seattle, WA; Alicia and Clayton Beck with son, Daniel of Littleton, NH; and five step great-grandchildren.
We greatly appreciate all the love, support, and friendship of the residents of Cutler during the last few months. Community Health and Counseling Services Machias Hospice provided much appreciated physical and emotional support during Thyra’s last month to her and her family caregivers.
A celebration of Thyra’s life will be on June 29th at a time and place to be announced.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.mcclurefamilyfuneral.com