MARY THOMSON
(née ELLISON)

I read with such sadness of the passing of Mary. She taught me piano from my early childhood right the way through my life. She was such a devoted teacher, so incredibly dedicated and her love of music has touched and inspired so many lives. Rest well dearest Mary. And thank you. X

I was so very sad to hear of the passing of our dearest Mary. I have such wonderful memories of the times we spent with her and her beloved Jack both in Ireland and Italy. We shared many a delicious meal with them and our now deceased parents and grandparents. The conversations were always lively and entertaining and full of laughter. Not forgetting the music! Those are the memories that I will carry in my heart forever.
My most heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
Riposa in pace Maria, until we meet again
Claudia McGlynn

So many happy memories of my lifelong friend Mary, including many travels together across Europe. She was a wonderful musician, cellist and pianist (who studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Paul Bazelaire), and an outstanding and beloved teacher who inspired all her students. For Mary Ellison, the happiest years of her life were when she met the acclaimed conductor Bryden (Jack) Thomson, and became Mary Ellison Thomson. Their time together was a blessing and a joy, with Mary’s friends becoming Jack’s friends too; his untimely death in 1991 left her bereft, but determined to sustain his legacy by establishing the Bryden Thomson Trust to support young Irish conductors. Mary will be sorely missed, and will be in my thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Mary's family on your loss. I worked with Mary many years ago, she was a lovely lady. May she rest in peace

Please accept our very deepest sympathy at this sad time.
From all at the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

My deepest condolences to all the family at this sad time. So many happy memory of this extraordinary lady. May she rest in Peace.

Sending love and condolences to all the family.

From Emma (Keane) and Simon

Sincere sympathy to Uncles Des, the Ellison and Thomson families on the death of Mary. May she rest in peace.

It was with great sadness that I learned of Mary’s passing. I knew Mary for many years as a valued colleague and friend at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama but prior to that I experienced her amazing teaching ability both for myself when she was a young teacher and later when she became piano teacher to my three children. As with all her students, she had a unique ability to find different pathways to motivate and encourage each of them individually. I have fond memories of Jack’s ‘praise’ when Mary kindly invited them to play for him at their lovely home. My deepest condolences to all her family and friends.

Rest in peace cousin Mary. My sincere sympathies to Charlie, Billy, Des and families, to Bishop Robert; and to Mark and Julian. You are in my prayers at this sad time.

So sorry to hear this sad news. In a few short hours of coaching and chatting, Mary gave me both musical advice and life lessons which I have found invaluable ever since. Her influence on her many pupils, and in turn their pupils, is a great legacy.

I am so very sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She was a truly wonderful teacher, sincerely wanting to draw the best out of all of her lucky students. She gave us so much and I still smile every time I see her 'specs' and helpful annotations sprinkled around some of my older piano music. I always loved bumping into her in recent years at the NCH. I feel privileged to have known her. She will be missed. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Mary and Jack were a part of my life for as far back as I can remember. As a child, on occasions when they came for dinner, I was sometimes allowed to stay up late and experience through their company and stories a sense of this wondrous musical world that existed for those lucky enough to be a part of it. Mary's gentle encouragement and unwavering interest and enthusiasm for my own musical aspirations was always hugely important, and her impact on the lives of her pupils was extraordinary. Her company was exciting and warm, and always filled with fun.

I know she will be missed so very much by her many life-long friends, her devoted students, and her family.

Sending love to all of our Ellison family! We have so many wonderful memories with Aunt Mary growing up. Our visits to her pretty home in Dublin where she would show us around as much as possible in a span of a few days were filled with wonder and delight. And her visits to us in the states were filled so much laughter and so much love! We adored her and will miss her so much!

Sincere sympathy to Mary’s brothers, extended family and many friends. I have fond memories of Mary during my time as secretary of the then College of Music when she could always bring a smile to everyone’s face. She will be sorely missed. At dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis

My sincerest sympathy to Mary’s family and her friends. I have fond memories doing a Music Association Recital tour with her and the late Eileen Donlon around Ireland about 50 year’s ago. She was a joy to work with.

I am so sorry to hear of Mary's passing; like many here, I was privileged to be her piano student and also became a colleague in the "College of Music", latterly DIT, where we had many happy times. A part of her legacy continues because I still maintain the skills she taught me such as hand position (where she worked tirelessly with me until achieving breakthrough!) and tonal control (and she was ahead of her time by managing things such as relaxation and stress-busting techniques). And having also taught piano at one stage in my career, I passed these positive ideas to my students.
I have so many happy memories of her expert teaching and support. Catherine and I send our thoughts and prayers to Mary's family at this time.

Sincerest sympathy to Bishop Robert and Mary’s family on her passing.
May she Rest In Peace.

So sad to hear of Mary's passing. Have known her a long time but at a distance and only in recent years got to know her better. Enjoyed her enthusiasm, encouragement and joy. Rest in Peace Mary. My sympathy to all Mary's extended family.

Sincere sympathy to Des and the Ellison and Thomson families on the death of Mary. May she rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Mary's brothers and extended family. I have fond memories of Mary as a highly respected and much valued colleague in the College of Music / DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama (now TUDublin Conservatoire). A wonderful musician and a much loved teacher, Mary inspired the highest standards in her students and her emphasis on musicality and beauty of sound was reflected in their playing. I remember Mary also for her honesty, her liveliness, her sense of humour and her inimitable style and flair. May she rest in peace.

I am heartbroken to hear that MET is no longer with us. She was not only a wonderful teacher, but an incredibly warm, welcoming and most-entertaining host. Lengthy piano lessons or house concerts (in preparation for examinations, competitions or concerts) would usually be followed up by an invitation to stay for dinner – always something delicious, (usually Italian) whipped up in an instant for a hungry and extremely grateful mob of exhausted students. Her passion not only for music but for culture in the wider sense – language, food, wine, travel and living abroad – informed her teaching and a piano lesson was never really just about music, it was about life. (And often peppered with hilarious anecdotes to boot.) She will be very sadly missed by many of her students. Sending much love to the entire family.

Very sad to hear the news of Mary’s passing. As a teacher, she was firm but fair :) and my piano playing skills would not have progressed as they did without her amazing ear and attention to detail. I will keep the memories of good times and lots of music making with Mary. Condolences to all family and friends. May she Rest In Peace.

I had the privilege of being Mary’s pupil in the College. Hours in room 120 testing her patience!
After her retirement she continued to work with my cousin & I and we enjoyed many afternoons & evenings in her company.
Her teaching has stayed with me ever since & she is sorely missed.
Condolences to all her extended family & “Thank You” Mary for all your friendship and memories.

I'm so sad to hear that Mary has left us. My heartfelt condolences. She and Jack were great family friends and we shared so many wonderful wonderful memories together. Our memories spanned the Unicorn, Coras, our homes and Italy. They are joyous memories and I'm so grateful to have been so much a part of their lives, which continued after Jack passed away. Sadly in recent years we lost touch but I often thought of Mary and wondered how she was. She is finally with her beloved Jack.... And hopefully they'll all be sitting around a table up there, with my parents and Zio Renato, Zia Nina and Dom... Enjoying a never ending banquet. May she rest in peace and may the feast continue xxx

On behalf of TU Dublin Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy team , may I offer our condolences, love and support at this time of the passing of Mary. A remarkable lady, with a special musical and teaching gift, who will be sadly missed . May she rest in peace . With every blessing, Rob Jones - Chaplain TU Dublin Conservatoire.

I am very sad to learn of Mary's passing. Mary was a warm, wonderful teacher of music with a lovely sense of humour whose primary focus was always on drawing out the most musical performance. I could not have wished for a better teacher of music, her ear was perfect. May she rest in peace.

My deepest sympathy on the passing of Mary. She was a wonderful piano teacher to me and gave me a true love for playing. I fondly remember meeting Jack her beloved husband on one or two occasions and it was obvious how much they were devoted to each other. May she Rest in Peace.

On behalf of Domville Unit, I would like to offer our deepest and most sincere condolences and may Mary's soul rest in peace. She will be truly missed and we will include her in our daily prayers.

I read of the death of Mary with great regret. I remember her affectionately as a wonderful teacher and valued colleague in DIT Conservatory. Her devotion and loyalty to her students and her musical integrity are still constant examples to us. Even in her latter years she continued to delight in the progress and successes of her former students. May her generous spirit Rest In Peace. Trudi Carberry

On behalf of Highfield Healthcare & especially the unit - Domville I wish to offer our sincere condolences to you the family & friends on Mary's passing.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all at this very sad time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam
May she rest in peace

So sorry to hear the sad news of Mary’s passing, may she Rest In Peace. Sincere sympathy to you all during this difficult time.

Charles, Billy, Bishop Robert, Ellison & Thomson family's
Please accept our deepest sympathy at this sad time. Thinking of you all. Mary RIP

Sincerest sympathy to Mary's brothers and her extended family, her many devoted pupils, former colleagues and friends

Thinking with love of dear Mary with happy memories of a wonderful musician and teacher, always so generous to others and with a deep faith. I remember her in the Read School before she studied piano and cello in Paris and Rome. She played the cello in the symphony orchestra until Michael McNamara, Principal of the Municipal School of Music, headhunted her for a teaching career. After her husband's untimely death she found solace in returning to teaching.until her retirement. Mary faced her health problems with courage and patience and treasured her family and friendships. Deepest sympathy to her brothers and to her extended family who loved her dearly. May she rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Mary’s family. An outstanding pianist and teacher, she will be remembered with fondness by her many students and all her friends at the Keyboard Department.
From all her colleagues at TUDUBLIN Conservatoire, formerly College of Music.

Deepest sympathy - remember Mary with great affection- had a huge impact on my life - Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam