IVY GWYNNE-THOMAS

Last night I had a dream about Mrs. Gwynne-Thomas and was saddened to find that she had passed. Shortly after they moved to Kansas City, I was hired to play with Beth after school. Mrs. Thomas always served tea, and she gave me glimpses into a world that was filled with flights of budgies and dancing in London. Her intellectual generosity, kindness and caring were never forgotten. She and her husband were great people.

Beth, your mother loved being a mom. She wouldn't let me take care of any of your physical needs; that was her beloved job. I was just there with you to play in the garden, stroll with your stroller, and let you listen to Welsh music. May you and your partner keep wonderful memories of your parents alive.

My mother was a great woman to the world, but to me she was the best mother any adopted child could have ever dreamt of. It is truly the end of an era. I was blessed to be by my mothers side when she passed. It is a moment i will always hold in my heart. My mother always said if she could get me to 16 years with a good moral base and good christian understanding, she would be satisfied. This Dec 16 will be 31 extra years of love and care she gave me. I would tell my mother I loved her and she would always reply I know sweetie but I have loved you longer, and now it is my turn to love her longer. My heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone for all your love and support without which Kathy and I would not have survived this.

Ivy and Eric shared the quality of bringing joy to any room they inhabited and of enriching any community in which they resided. Their generation nourished a tradition of erudition, warmth and intellectual interest that seems to be dying along with them. Thank God we have our wonderful memories of them to sustain us.

My memories of Ivy will be of a very nice, intelligent, curious and well-informed person. She and her husband Eric were memorable people and I feel blessed to have known them both.