Thetford’s Long-Time Chemist, Mary Burrows, Dies
The Thetford Corporation family is in mourning after Mary R. Burrows, 53, the company's long-time manager of chemical engineering and a true RV industry expert, died following a bicycle accident near her home in Dexter, Michigan.
"Mary was a wonderful friend, person and co-worker," Thetford executive vice president Kevin Phillips said. "She was liked and respected by everyone who worked at Thetford the past three decades. Mary touched so many people…to say that she will be greatly missed is an understatement."
Burrows began at Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Thetford in 1983, shortly after graduating from Albion (Mich.) College. She was responsible for the formulation, production and quality control of every chemical product that the company made.
Well-known in the RV industry, Burrows annually attended the RVIA Show and various consumer events. She was tireless in answering any question from anyone – boater, RVer, dealer, distributor, – wanting to know the truth, based on chemistry and verified by testing, about sanitation or care. The two women reporting to Burrows in Thetford's Chem Lab, Karin Johansson and Janis Thomson, each worked with her for more than 24 years.
Burrows was married, the mother of two daughters and recently became a proud grandmother. She loved most outdoor activities and to laugh. A celebration of her life took place Saturday afternoon.
