A superb mother and nurse journeyed from her earthly life on May 6 ^th , National Nurses Day.   Anne Catherine "Nancy" (O'Hare) Thurmond was born in Anaconda, MT on February 28 ^th , 1936 to Irish immigrants Stephen and Mary (Delappe) O'Hare. A child of the depression, Anne grew up with her older brother Stephen in the family home on East Commercial Street. After the sudden loss of her father when she was eleven, the family opened their Anaconda home to borders, many who worked at the smelter. One border who was especially fond of Anne nicknamed her "Nancy". The nickname stuck and Anne became known as Nancy to many. Anne completed elementary education at St. Peter's Catholic School, and she was valedictorian and the youngest member of the graduating class of Anaconda Central High School in 1953. Following high school, Anne attended Carroll College graduating as a registered nurse. After college, she worked at St. James Hospital in Butte, the start of a wonderful nursing career which spanned much of her life.

On June 25, 1960 Anne married the love of her life Paul Willard Thurmond, a handsome pilot flying for Butte Aero. They were married at St. Peters church in Anaconda, MT and began their life together in Butte where they purchased and expanded (more than once) the family home on Wynne Avenue. Their Thurmond tribe included nine children: Paul, Mary, Dot, Jim, Nancy, John, Steve, Tim and Lee. A free-range parent before the term was known, Anne's guiding hand and unconditional love are appreciated by her six boys and three girls.

Anne's strong catholic faith has been an important part of her life and she and Paul were active parish members at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Some of Anne's other pursuits included obtaining an amateur (ham) radio license, golfing, hunting (grouse and antelope were much enjoyed), ceramics, crocheting, fishing, and camping in the family's Cozy Cruiser camp trailer. Anne resumed her nursing career in 1976 at The Butte Park Royal, initially as a part-time night shift nurse and eventually retiring as the assistant Director of Nursing.

Following retirement, Anne and Paul enjoyed many trips around the country in their RV and a trip to Ireland to visit the Old Country. They enjoyed trips to the southwest US and trips to Oregon to visit her brother Steve and his wife Dorothy, and their children Cathy, Steve, Peggy, Tricia and families. More than anything Anne and Paul enjoyed taking walks together in their retirement.

In later years, Anne became an active member of the Butte Family YMCA where she met new friends Ann, Larry, Lillian, Rick, Kenny and the Dave's. She loved visiting, sipping coffee, and reading "The Standard" after using the treadmill or exercise bike. Following mornings at The Y she was off to volunteer at The Butte Emergency Food Bank or the RSVP program with Butte School District #1. She was warmly received as "Grandma Anne" by the Hillcrest Hornets, particularly Mrs. Cindy Merrick's 2 ^nd grade class.

Anne's family is grateful for the life she lived and for her many friends, especially Mary Monk, Ann Bachman, Karen Bernier, Sandy Mattioli, Rita Ziegler, and her sister-in-law Dorothy O'Hare (dear friends since nursing school).

Many thanks are extended to Dr. Pullman, Erin Leber PAC, Krista Bryson RN, Brandon West RN, Liz at the front desk and Karen in the lab at Mercury Street Medical for years of great health care. Thanks to Compasses Hospice and 406 Quality Home Care for helping Anne realize her desire to die in her own home where she proved to be an incredibly gentle patient.

Anne was preceded in death by husband Paul Thurmond in 2008 and son Jim Thurmond in 1993. She is survived by her brother Steve O'Hare and wife Dorothy.   Surviving children are Paul (Shelley) Thurmond, Mary (Mike) Trimble, Dot (Don) Warner, Nancy (Eric) Wikle, John (Dee Dee) Thurmond, Steve (Margaret) Thurmond, Tim (Lydia) Thurmond and Lee Thurmond. Surviving grandchildren include Brynn (Dion Glanton) & Teague Barry, Brandon, Giordyn & Griff Warner, Austin (Courtney) Thurmond, Madison (Kyle)Hall, Olivia Thurmond, Stephen Thurmond, Esther, Sherina, Declan & Joshua Thurmond and Roan Thurmond. Great grandchildren include Kingston and Kai Glanton and expected baby Hall.

Visitation will be Wednesday May 19 ^th from 5:00-6:00 p.m. with Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Duggan Dolan Mortuary. Funeral mass will be held at St John's the Evangelist Catholic Church on Thursday, May 20 ^th at 11 am, burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Please join the family for a celebration of Anne's life following services at The Copper King Hotel. In lieu of flowers, Anne requested donations be made to St. John's Catholic Church or the Butte Emergency Food Bank.