Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Shirley Thomas Obituary
1934 ~ 2012
Shirley Ann Kauka Thomas passed away January 19, 2012 following a short battle with cancer. She was born November 19, 1934 in Honolulu HI to Anna Hind and Akiona Kauka-Lau. She was raised in Honolulu. She met her future husband, Arthur Del Thomas, who was stationed there in the Navy and was married in the Laie Hawaii LDS Temple on September 14, 1953. They lived in Holladay UT, Renton WA, Livermore CA, and returned to their home in Holladay for the last 18 years.
Mom fulfilled her dreams as wife, mother and grandmother. She loved homemaking arts-particularly cooking and baking. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving faithfully in many callings. One of her favorites was serving with dad at YW Girls camp in CA for nearly 20 years as camp "Cookie" and he as 'Sugar Daddy".
Mom was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, and grand-daughter Anna Stout. She is survived by her daughters, Lani and Doug Anderson, Malia and Craig Hale, Deanna and Jeff Lascano; her sons, Arthur (Hoss) and Kelly, and William and Melanie; 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Mehealani Cathcart and Patricia Parker of Hawaii, and a loving host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.
The family will welcome your remembrances of her at a viewing on January 24, 2012 at Memorial Estates Mountain View 3115 E 7800 So from 6:30-8:00 pm and at 9:30-10:30 am, January 25 at the Little Cottonwood 1st Ward meetinghouse, 6350 Rodeo Lane. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. Interment - Memorial Estates Mountain View. Condolences can be made at www.memorialutah.com.
Our family wishes to thank the love and compassion of so many, especially Olena of Utah Hospice Specialists and our loving Aunt Gayle.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Thomas
Lauren Cole Loutzenhiser
January 31, 2012
Ann was one person I truly looked forward to seeing whenever I visited my mom. She was always SO good to our whole family! Love and joy just radiated from her, and she was someone everyone liked to be around. Even my children remember and love the "cinnamon roll lady"! What a treasure and blessing she was to so many people. I hope she knows how very much she is loved! May her family find peace and comfort at this time of great loss.
January 27, 2012
We will miss your Mom but we know we shall see her again. Aloha oe until we meet again.
We love all of you and will pray that Heavenly Father's choicest blessings of comfort be upon you in the days ahead....
Love you.......Kapewa
Becky Coombs
January 25, 2012
Ah, Aunt Ann - I will miss your magical smile and the light that is always in your eyes. I will miss your laugh. Your kind, generous spirit will continue to inspire me. And yes, I will miss the "food of the gods"-- your eclairs and cinnamon rolls. Thank you for your unfailing example of service and compassion. I love you.
To my dear cousins, Lani, Malia, Deanna. Hoss and Will and your families - You are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you all. With you, I look forward to a glorious reunion.
Mark & Sue Ellen Nakamura
January 24, 2012
We were so lucky to have Grandma Ann in our lives. Our daughter Cassi was so thrilled when she took time out of her schedule to teach her how to make her world famous eclairs. She can still do it and we are thankful to Grandma Ann everytime she makes them.
She was such a gentle and kind soul. Lani, we think so highly of Daniel and can tell he has many of Grandma Ann's qualities. We mourn with you at the loss of one of the best people we know. Journey well done Grandma Ann.
Melanie Bowden Newman
January 24, 2012
It was so good to see Sister Thomas and family at my Dad's viewing last year. Thank you for making that effort. I'll always have great memories of "Cookie" and "Sugar Daddy" at Girl's Camp and of your Mom preparing yummy food in the kitchen for family wedding receptions. You are a wonderful family!
Susan Adams
January 24, 2012
Malia, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you remember your sweet Mom. She will live on forever in the many happy memories you have of her - I will always remember her wonderfully decadent sweet rolls! Love you bunches!
Chris and Lannae Orgill
January 24, 2012
Malia and Lani, we love you and love your sweet mom. You know how much she will be missed in our ward and in our neighborhood. She was a stalwart. You and your families will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Anna Worthington
January 23, 2012
When I moved to Salt Lake 9 years ago, Ann was the first person to visit me and she asked if I liked to walk. We walked together for 9 years and grew to be very good friends. Ann was a very loving person and she meant a great deal to me. I will miss her dearly. May god bless your family. Love Anna Worthington
Sheryl Miller
January 23, 2012
I always looked forward to Ann's incredible cinnamon rolls, and strived to make mine just like her's.
My memories of Girl's Camp are cherished ones with Cookie and Sugar Daddy always there. Ann and Art blessed and touched the lives of so many. For me, their kindness will never be forgotten.
I am so grateful to been in the Livermore 3rd Ward with them.
My thoughts are with you all, at this time.
Brittney Gunther
January 23, 2012
You will be dearly missed Grandma Thomas. You always made me feel so welcomed in your home and family. I have very fond memories that I will hold forever in my heart. I always looked forward to the times I was posted on the ambulance in the church parking lot next to your home, and scaring all the neighbors into thinking you were hurt when I would park the ambulance in front of your home to run and give you a hug.:-) Love you!
Jeff and Mickie Ann Kidd
January 23, 2012
Aunt Ann, We send our Love and Prayers! We have been blessed to know you in our lives! We love you so very much!
Olivia Dabney
January 22, 2012
Ward & I send our love to all of you. Ann was a special lady . I have fond memories serving with her at Girl's Camp as does Ward. She was a wonderful "cookie". We also looked forward to her Christmas open house each year in anticipation of all of the treats she made for days before. WE were blessed to have her and Bihop "T" in our lives for many years.
Alana Nelson
January 22, 2012
I love you more grandma :) I am so grateful for your incredible example and can only hope to become a woman of your caliber. One of a kind is what you are. Love always
Chuck and Bonnie McHenry
January 22, 2012
Bonnie and I were so sorry to hear that Ann had died. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss Ann; she touched our lives so many times and will always have very fond memories. We love you.
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in Shirley Thomas's name
Memorial Events
for Shirley Thomas
How to support Shirley's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Shirley Thomas's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
