Obituary of Mae E. Figura

Mae Figura passed away on Jan 23rd after a courageous fight with an arterial blocking disease. She was born in 1932 of parents Raymond Clayton Thomas and Hazel Grace Gevert Thomas and attended the Honesdale Schools. She was 84 years old. With a strong faith in the Lord, she had been a long standing member of the Central United Methodist Church in Honesdale and a member of the Cherry Ridge Woodcarvers. She really appreciated people that could work with their hands. She also had deep commitment to all who served in the military. Grandma Mae was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, organizer, friend, beacon to those in need, and so many more things to so many people. In 1952 she started the Thomas Dance studio and continued to teach dance even after the studio closed. She had thousands of students through the years and every spring had a huge dance recital. She also helped the schools in the area with choreography for their plays and taught ballroom and line dance for local schools and Camp Ladore even till this past year. Mae also worked for the Wayne County Older Workers Employment Service and JTPA throughout the 80's and 90's, in which she helped several displaced or needy workers find new employment. Being very community minded, Mae took over the helm at the Wayne County Creative Arts Council from Art Fasshauer around 1997. She took great joy in inviting people to come to Central Park in Honesdale to listen to all kinds of music in the summertime. She could often be seen walking around the park with her famous walking stick that she carved from her hillside on Maple Ave. Grandma Mae also ran Granny's Goodies at the Wayne County Fair. She loved to serve pies and cookies to fairgoers and socialize with them especially if they were from far away. Very talented at baking, her family and friends never went hungry. Granny loved animals, especially her cats, as she has had many throughout the years. But mostly Granny loved her family, always having a great time at gatherings such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and reunions. She enjoyed watching all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren opening their gifts at Christmas. She was very giving and family and community minded, and had a great work ethic. She was a huge part of the Honesdale community and will be greatly missed by all people she touched. Mae is preceded in death by her Mother and Father, and Husband Daniel Figura of Lakewood. Living relatives are sons and daughter in laws Mark and Yong Hui Figura of Bethany, Thomas Figura of Lakewood, David Figura of Honesdale and Sharon Panunti of West Pittston, and Daniel and Patty Figura of Lakewood. Grandchildren and spouses are Alan and Zena Figura of Arizona, Nikki Smith and husband Mike of Honesdale, Shauna Figura and Jason Williams of Edwardsville, Tommy Figura of Lake Como, Kathryn and Nicholas Figura of Honesdale, Charissa Kellam and husband Abram of Tunkhannock, Matt Figura of Lakewood, and Daniel Figura of Lakewood. Also surviving are 10 Great-grandchildren with one on the way. Like Granny said "Always room for one more." There will be a public viewing on Friday Jan 27th at Bryant's Funeral Home from 4-8 PM. Also an hour long viewing at 10AM Saturday Jan 28th in the sanctuary of the Central United Methodist Church in Honesdale. Immediately following will be the funeral service, also in the sanctuary. Following the service will be a reception in the social room of the Church. In lieu of flowers friends are welcome to make contributions to the Dessin Animal Shelter 138 Miller Drive, Honesdale, Pa. 18431 or the UMC Christian Education Fund 205 11th St. Honesdale, Pa. 18431.