Martha Ann "Marty" Thomas

(Courier News)

MARTHA ANN THOMAS
AGE: 84 CANANDAIGUA, N.Y.
Martha Ann "Marty" Thomas, 84, of Ferris Hills at West Lake, died peacefully at her home Saturday (Sept. 20, 2008), surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Albert Thomas; three children, Mark Thomas of Watchung, Linda (Willy) Olaerts-Thomas of Hove (Antwerp) Belgium and Andrew (Renee) Thomas of Canandaigua, N.Y.; four loving grandchildren, Bram and Roelie Olaerts, Jeffery and Ian Thomas; and a sister, Jane Neel of Canandaigua, N.Y.
Mrs. Thomas was born in Altoona, Pa., and was the daughter of Mark and Anna (Warren) Jewett. She graduated from high school in Buffalo, N.Y., and attended Cornell University. A resident of Watchung for 42 years, she was the longtime children's librarian at Plainfield Public Library, touching the lives of thousands of young people throughout her career. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of her New Jersey home was the number of books, periodicals and papers on every shelf.
Mrs. Thomas and her husband moved from Watchung to become charter residents of Ferris Hills at West Lake when the facility opened in 2001. She cherished her many friends at Ferris Hills, who gave her good times, food and drink, great discussions, and powerful love and support during her extended battle with breast cancer. She would also like the staff at Ferris Hills to know her deep appreciation for their ongoing concern and support.
There will be no services. An informal gathering at the Ferris Hills fireplace, site of many fine after-dinner discussions, was held Sept. 26. Mrs. Thomas' faith lay in her husband, her family, her dear friends in both the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area and Canandaigua, N.Y., and her fervent hope that her country would turn away from the politics of selfishness to a better era.
Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Canandaigua, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the library of your choice.