Thelma A. Breighner

Thelma Agnes Cutchin Breighner, 89, a resident of Elwyn - Valley View, Media, PA, passed from this life on January 26, 2020 after a short illness. Thelma was a much beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.

She was born in Lonaconing, MD, on September 30, 1930, to the late Leon Clark and Thelma (nee Miller) Clark McKenzie. Becoming deaf at an early age did not dim Thelma's lively spirit or slow her from making many life-long friends.

She was a graduate of the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick, MD; past member of the Silent Oriole Club, and F.F.F.S. She was a member of St. Mary's Church, Lonaconing, MD, and while attending MSD, attended St. John the Evangelist, Frederick, MD. As an adult, she was a member of the Shrine of the Little Flower with Baltimore's Roman Catholic Deaf community. She worked for Coca-Cola in the Baltimore bottling plant; Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart, Towson, MD; and she retired from the Social Security Administration, Woodlawn, MD.

She is survived by four children: William D. Cutchin, Jr. (Lisa) Frederick, MD, Roberta Norwood (Eddie) Winchester, VA, Stephen G. Cutchin (Cheryl), Forest Hill, MD, and Mary Harr Allen (Bobby), Timonium, MD. She is also survived by a brother Raymond Clark (Patti), Venice, FL; step-family: JoAnn Lashbaugh, Shirley Ravenscroft, Marvin McKenzie, Roy McKenzie, Gary McKenzie, Mark McKenzie, Norman McKenzie; and nine grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews; and step-nieces and nephews. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Roy McKenzie, brother Stephen Leon Clark, stepbrother Lewis McKenzie, first husband William D. Cutchin, Sr., and second husband Henry Breighner.

Thelma was most proud of her children and grand-children. She would tell all she met about them. She was proud that all of her hearing children could sign and communicate with both hearing and deaf alike.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 pm and 7-9 on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart, 1001 W. Joppa Rd., Towson, MD 21204-3787. A Christian burial service will be celebrated at 10 am on Thursday, January 30, 2020, at the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart. Burial will follow at Moreland Cemetery, 1601 Taylor Ave., Baltimore, MD. Evans Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

The family wishes to thank the staff of at Valley View who took such good care of Thelma. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart, 1001 W. Joppa Rd., Towson, MD 21204-3787 for support of their deaf ministries in memory of Thelma.

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