Mrs. Monique Felicite Orion Thur, age 96, of Madison, Indiana, entered this life on July 20, 1920, in Chalons sur Saone, France. She was the eldest of four children of Pierre and Marie Anne (Provost) Orion. Her family moved to Reims, France early in her life and this is where she was raised.

She began being educated to become a teacher in life, but the start of World War II interrupted her education. Monique and her family were able to survive the war. She would eventually meet her husband, and on September 20, 1947 in Reims, France, she was united in marriage to Ralph Arthur Thur, Captain Q.M.G. U.S.A.R. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her husband was released from the Army and they moved to the United States of America in November 1947. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Mark, James, and Carol in Seattle, Washington.

Monique became a citizen of the United States of America in 1951. Her husband began a career in the C.I.A. in 1955, which eventually moved them to the Washington D.C. area, and they raised their three children in Falls Church, Virginia. In 1961, Monique began a career with the C.I.A. as a French language instructor. In 1971, Monique became the section chief of the French and Italian Department in the Office of Training and Education in the C.I.A.. She retired from the C.I.A. on December 30, 1988 after 27 years of service. At the request of her son James, Monique moved to Madison in 2001, where she has lived for the past 16 years. Monique was very proud of her French heritage, maintaining close ties with her French family, her citizenship to the United States of America, and her contributions to the C.I.A. and the United States of America. She was an avid read of literature and was dedicated to her family and pets throughout her life. Monique passed away quietly on Sunday, April 16, 2017 at the River Terrace Health Campus in Madison.

Monique will be missed by her sister, Yolanda Drain; her five grandchildren: Jennifer Buchanan, Jonathan E. Thur, James D. Thur, Randolph R. Thur, and Mary Virginia Thur; her nephews and nieces: Philippe Orion, Christophe Orion, Sophie Orion, Caroline Orion, Christine Orion and Florence Drain.

; eight great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Pierre Orion; her mother, Marie Anne Orion; her brother, Ludovic Orion; her sister, Helene Gauthier; her husband, Ralph A. Thur; her two sons: Mark H. Thur and James P. Thur; and her daughter, Carol H. Thur.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the Fairfax Memorial Park in Fairfax, Virginia. Arrangements are being handled by Lytle Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Madison and Demaine Funeral Home, Fairfax.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Contributions may be made at any of the Lytle Funeral Homes & Cremation Service locations.

Online condolences can be made to www.lytlefuneralhomes.com.

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