Margaret Ann Tharp
1933 – 2023
Margaret Ann Tharp’s Obituary
Margaret Ann Tharp was born September 28, 1933, in Muscatine, Iowa. She had one sister, Sally. Margaret attended catholic school as a child. She always spoke of her admiration of the catholic nuns that taught at her grade school. Margaret studied nursing at the University of Iowa. Margaret left college to marry Richard Tharp and they had four children. She enjoyed being a mother and homemaker. At age 40 years Margaret returned to work in the medical field caring for the elderly to support her family. During retirement years she took care of her son, James, who suffered disability and paraplegia due to Multiple Sclerosis. She cared for her son at home until his death in 2014. Margaret was pro-life and defended the lives of the unborn, the elderly and all ages in between as evidenced by the care of her disabled son, James.
Margaret was especially blessed to be the mother of a Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Shane Ian Tharp.
Margaret succumbed to heart disease at home on 8/31/2023. Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Tharp; her son, James Tharp; her son, Rev. Shane Ian Tharp; great grandson, Josef; and her sister, Sally. She is survived by her children, Catherine, and Teresa; granddaughter, Erin and Erin’s husband, Thad; and great grandchildren, Jacob, Judah, and Jericho.
What have you given me?? The woman hands Our Lord the manutergium and responds, I have given you my son as a priest. With these words, Jesus grants her entry into paradise.
Margaret said before her death that she had a difficult life but a happy one.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Willow Pregnancy Support or Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Seminarian Fund.
Public visitation will be held Monday, September 11, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home with a wake service starting at 6:00 p.m.
Services will be held Tuesday, September 12, 2023, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Cousin Theresa,
That’s a beautiful tribute to a very strong matriarch. Your mother loved all of you greatly as she expressed it to me regularly. I am a better man today for befriending my Aunt Margaret. We had wonderful conversations covering just about every topic under the sun. We laughed hard at lives difficulties and knew this is but a step stone of our lives. From my heart to yours…rest in peace
Thank you cousin Rod for your tribute to my mother and your aunt. Mom truly enjoyed her conversations with you. She loved you very much and spoke of your caring nature. God bless you for your kindness. As you are aware my mother loved a good conversation.