Thelma Jean Cameron

Thelma Jean Cameron, nee Mulvany, 84 of Swansea, IL formerly of Mascoutah, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017

She was born in 1932 to Andrew and Jessie, nee Jones, Mulvany in Kinmundy, IL, where she grew up.  Thelma was the youngest of 12 brothers and sisters, was raised in the fullest of houses, not just with family, but with love and friendship.  The familial ties that Thelma built in her youth carried with her throughout her life.

At 19, she married her true love, Donald G. Cameron, with whom she spent a 60-plus year marriage loving him, building a family, camping, traveling, visiting, and making relationships wherever they went. Shortly after their marriage Cathy Jean Monken was born, followed in a few more years by Rhonda Diane Nunn.  The family planted its roots in Mascoutah, and a family tree grew from those roots.

Thelma was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah, and was a retired commercial loan administrator from First National Bank in Belleville, IL.

Besides her parents and her brothers and sisters, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Alan Monken.

Thelma was fortunate to have seen her family get a lot bigger over the years.  While her family never grew to the size of the home in which she was raised, she did see her two daughters marry and have children in turn.  Thelma is survived and dearly missed by her daughters, Cathy Jean Monken and Rhonda Diane Nunn; by her son-in-law, “J” Nunn; by her grandchildren, Robert A. Nunn, Joshua A. Monken, Jami L. Geragosian, and Jeremy C. Monken; by their spouses, Amy Nunn, Rachel Martin-Monken, and Duran Geragosian; and by her sisters-in-law, Mary La Dean Mulvany and Christine Mulvany; and too many nieces, nephews, and cousins to list (but all of whom she would gladly talk about!).

Thelma also lived to be (and took great pride in being) a five-time great grandmother to Landon Geragosian, Savannah Nunn, Drake Geragosian, Charlotte Monken, Brynli Geragosian, and even a sixth great granddaughter to be born soon.

While Thelma was fortunate to have her family, those in her life were even more fortunate to have had her as a part of it.  Thelma understood the true power of an open home and a kitchen (or camper) table to bring people together, whether that be with a home-cooked meal, a hand of cards, or a conversation to keep in touch.

She will be sorely missed not only by her family and close friends, but by nearly everyone with whom she came in contact.  Thelma was a pleasure and joy to be with, and showed love in everything she did.  Her loss will be acutely felt by those who knew her.  But the memory of her that stays is one of caring, faith, and enduring love.

Memorials may be made to St, John United Church of Christ, 55 W. Church St., Mascoutah, IL 62258, or to the American Heart Assn., 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL  60674.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com .

Visitation: Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 at Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL.