Annette Tharp

Annette Elizabeth Tharp (nee Dorr) passed away peacefully October 27, 2011 in San Antonio, TX, she was 87.  She was born in Ware, Massachusetts on December 31, 1923 and came to live in Battle Creek in 1953.  Mrs. Tharp is preceded in death by her husband Maurice B. Tharp; parents Harry J. Dorr and Elda A. (Bousquet) Dorr; sisters Jane Bronnes and Marjorie Rowden; and brother Roger Dorr.  She left behind her son, Peter Tharp, daughter in law Deborah Tharp, and two grandchildren Andrew and Rebecca Tharp – all of whom will miss her very much.  She also left behind her brother in law Webb Rowden of Leicester, MA and sister in law Mary Dorr of Worcester, MA as well as sister and brother in law Rachel and Devon Wiley of Charlotte, brother in law Carroll Tharp, sister in law Jane Tharp both also of Charlotte, and sister in law Celia Krieg of Plymouth.  During World War II Mrs. Tharp served in the Navy WAVES.  She graduated from Eastman School for Dental Hygienists, Rochester, NY in 1948, she then attended Syracuse University to earn her teaching certification, after which she worked as a dental hygiene teacher in Westchester County, NY from 1948-1952.  While living in Battle Creek she worked at the Federal Center from which she retired in 1984 after twenty-three years; she was a member of American Legion Post 54; for many years she was an active volunteer with the Battle Creek Health Service Hospital Auxiliary; and she was a long time member of St Philip’s Catholic Church where she was also in the Council of Catholic Women. Visitation will be held Thursday from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 4, 2011, at St. Philip Catholic Church with The Rev. Harold Potter officiating.  Entombment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Donations in her memory can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

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