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Marian Wolf Thoms
January 13, 1928-
February 14, 2013
Marian passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family love in the early morning hours of 14 February 2013. She was born in Indianapolis, IN to Ora and Paul Wolf on 13 January 1928 where she was the baby of the family consisting of four children: William, Joan, Virginia and Marian. The family worked together in the tomato-canning factory owned by Paul and Ora Wolf in Morristown IN which
produced provisions for the war effort.
Marian attended high school at Westtown School, a Quaker preparatory school in West Chester, PA and Earlham College. She married Robert A. Thoms (Bob) on 11 June 1949 and started their lives together settling in Shelbyville, IN after college. They raised four children: Jill, Carl, Lucy and Paul moving from Indiana to Memphis, Tennessee in 1960 where the family lived in a rural area surrounded by a lake, a park and giant oak trees. Marian presided over the family as the Chief Domestic Engineer, a term she coined when asked for her occupation when called to jury duty. She shared Bob's love of fishing which the family enjoyed in their years in Memphis and later on family trips to Mexico, Canada and throughout the western United States.
The family moved to Whittier in 1968 when Bob was promoted by his company to Vice President. In Whittier, Marian made many life long friends. She was an active member of PEO as well as the Friendly Hills Women's club where she served as an officer. She served on the Board of Directors for Whittier's Meals on Wheels program and was acknowledged for her contributions of over 500 hours of service. Marian served on the PTA and took an active role in supporting the many school activities in which each of her children was engaged. Marian's family background had instilled in her strong family values which she passed on to each of her children and to her grandchildren.
Marian's many passions included antiquing for Haviland china and cut glass, bridge, crossword puzzles, sports, horse racing, Jeopardy and politics. She enjoyed art, history and Swing music. Following a long Wolf family tradition of political activism, Marian was a member of the Women's Democratic Club. Marian had a sharp wit.
Marian was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Bob Thoms, her parents and siblings. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Jill and Alex Matuk, Carl and Jean Thoms, Lucy Thoms-Harrington and Tim Harrington and Paul Thoms and Suzanne Doolen. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren all of whom were a tremendous source of joy and pride for Marian: Amanda and Joseph Matuk, Bobby, Kelsey and Lindsey Thoms, Hope Harrington and Shannon and Will Thoms. Marian is also survived by her nieces: Sarah Wolf, Martha Wolf, Pam Wolf , Paula Wolf Weninger, Patty Rice and her nephew Steve Rice.
The family would also like to thank Ida Navarro for her deep friendship to Marian over the last five years, to Pat Saaverdra Marian's caregiver and the staff at Whittier Place and Hospice.
Though tiny in physical stature, Marian was a giant in spirit. Her friends and her family whose lives have been touched will miss her. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marian's memory may be made to Whittier Meals on Wheels : 7702
Washington Ave. Whittier, CA 90602: Phone:(562) 698-2750 www.whittiermealsonwheels.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I have thought of you many times over the years.
Anne Hasecuster Dampier
March 10, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
G. Freeman
February 22, 2013
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