Mona Thomas
Mona Thomas
Mona Louise Thomas passed away on Sunday February 20, 2011 in Palm Desert, CA. Her bright smile, zest for living, and concern for others will truly be missed.
Mona was born June 11, 1929 in Glendale, CA to Florence and Homer Zechiel, joining her older brother William. She graduated from Hoover High School in 1947 and earned a degree from Glendale College. She met Bill Thomas in a Sunday School class at First Methodist Church and they were married August 13, 1949.
Bill and Mona settled into their first home in Burbank, where their children Steve and Nancy were born. They then moved back to Glendale into a home built by her father, where they would live until 1997. This is where their daughter Sue was born, where her kindergarten teaching career in Glendale Unified School District was established, and when she began what became a legacy of church service as she dove into teaching kindergarten Sunday School at First Baptist Church La Crescenta. These years were filled with family, friends, and lots of bridge, camping, and travel. She enthusiastically supported Bill by attending countless Crescenta Valley HighSchool events.
After a combined 140 years in Glendale, Mona and Bill retired to Palm Desert. Mona was faithful in keeping up longtime friendships while making many new friends. She taught kindergarten Sunday School at Southwest Community Church and involved herself in many community ministries.
Mona always found time for her family. She adored her seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren (and another baby girl due in June) and relished every minute spent with them. She looked forward to the many times the entire family was able to gather together at reunions, most recently in Scottsdale last summer, where she and Bill celebrated their 61st anniversary.
She remained amazingly active until her recent illness, giving of herself to family, friends, and service.
Mona is survived by her husband Bill Thomas; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Diana Thomas; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Terry O’Brien; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Larry Williams; grandchildren, Dave(Courtney) Graham,
Jenny (Tim) Loomer, Jordan Graham, Joseph Thomas, Brittany (Blake) Bowen, Lindsay (Matt) Todd, and Paul Williams; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Marin, Mason, Nate, Cora, and Aurora.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 7 at Southwest Community Church, 77-701 Fred WaringDr, Indian Wells, followed by a luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Mission America (Paul and Jeannie Cedar support), POBox 13930, Palm Desert, CA 92