Arvilla A. Thornbury

Arvilla A. Thornbury, 96, of Indianapolis, passed away at her residence on May 23, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 11, 1926, to the late Isadore and Gloria (Snow) Roth in White County, Indiana. On October 17, 1953, Arvilla wed Arthur M. Thornbury in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski County, Indiana.

A proud registered nurse, Arvilla graduated from the St. Vincent School of Nursing in 1948. She practiced nursing at St. Vincent Hospital, the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, and finished her career with the United States Postal Service Medical Unit with 13 years of service in 1989. In her retirement, Arvilla enjoyed attending the St. Vincent School Nursing Alumni Association annual events, as well as knitting, gardening, traveling across the country with her husband to visit their children, journaling, and planting flowers.

Arvilla was a devoted parishioner at St. Barnabas Catholic Church where she was largely a part of the bible study groups, H.O.O.P, Kairos Prison Ministry, and sponsoring children in Guatemala through Unbound. A prayer warrior, Arvilla would faithfully pray for her children and family, as well as watch the news and write down world events or people in need to specifically pray for. Arvilla was incredibly generous, always giving to those in need of her time or resources.

A caring and fiercely protective mother, Arvilla was the matriarch of the Thornbury family. She was an independent and genuine soul who faced every challenge with a gentle and prayerful nature. Her spunky personality, pride for her family, and unwavering faith in God will be deeply missed.

Along with both parents, Arvilla was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Arthur M. Thornbury; her siblings, Phyllis Foerg, and Delores Gading.

Survivors include her sons, Greg (Cathy), Kevin, and Eric (Becky) Thornbury; her daughters, Cheryl (James) McCarthy, Kim (Tom) Peters, Rose (Tim) Medlock, and Carol (Jim) Lippert; brothers, Doyle and Ronald Roth; sister, Charlotte Berger; 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Arvilla’s Life Celebration® Visitation will be Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the O’Riley – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 27, 2022, in St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 8300 Rahke Road, Indianapolis. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent Nursing Alumni Association or St. Barnabas Catholic Church. Please visit www.ORileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.