Mary Ellen Thornhill, 89, of Port Arthur, died Wednesday, December 3, 2014. A native and lifelong resident of the area, she was born on November 29, 1925, in Beaumont, to Grace Penna and Pasquale “Kelly” Mazzagatti.

Mary enjoyed cooking. She loved her dogs, football, and most of all, she loved her granddaughters. Mary loved her daily visits and gossip sessions with her sister Connie. She worked for years at the Gulf refinery as a secretary until retirement. Mary then taught and worked at Sycamore Private School for a number of years.

Survivors include her sons, Larry Collins Thornhill of Port Arthur and Mark Craven Thornhill of Austin; granddaughters, Monica Grace Thornhill and Lyndie Thornhill; great-grandson, Ayden Thornhill; sisters, Connie Davis of Houston and Billie Rose Klein of Austin; numerous nieces and nephews; and her most faithful canine companions, Blue and Chanel.

A gathering of Mrs. Thornhill’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a Christian Vigil at 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 5, 2014, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 6, 2014, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 3706 Woodrow Drive, Port Arthur, with interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.