Paula Mary Thomas

Paula Mary Thomas, 85, passed away quietly in her Sacramento home on August 6th. Paula was born in New York City and was raised in Chicago and Marshfield WI, graduating from Marshfield High in 1956. She started working in the typing pool at Marathon Electric and married Ronald Meyers of Wausau WI in 1957. She had three children Russell Meyers (Los Osos CA); Laura Arbogash (Eagle River WI); and John Meyers (Sacramento CA) as well as 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Paula was preceded in death by her parents, her 2 brothers and her late husband Brad Thomas in 1993.

After moving to Laona WI in 1966 she started Paula's Frozen Foods wholesale food business and also co-owned Meyers Wood Products sawmill business. The family had numerous other small businesses at the time, including Meyers Maple Syrup, horse boarding, beef cattle, and Christmas tree sales just to name a few. She also worked at Laona High School, Nicolet Community College and was a secretary for the Exxon Mining Division in Crandon WI. Paula volunteered for Head Start early childhood education and was on the Laona School Board. Her favorite part of living in rural Wisconsin was cooking various wild game regularly brought to her kitchen.

Paula moved to Southern California in 1980 and was an executive secretary at Eisenhower Medical Center, before relocating to Sacramento in 1983. During this time, she travelled to Europe for the first time, including a memorable visit behind the Berlin Wall to East Berlin. In Sacramento Paula worked as an executive secretary for SMUD and the Sacramento Blood Bank and also volunteered as a Bella Vista high school counselor and with People Reaching Out.

In 1989 Paula relocated to Santa Maria CA where she semi-retired and was able to focus on her love of cooking and writing. Paula worked as a freelance food and special interest news writer for local central coast newspapers. After the passing of her husband Brad, Paula relocated to Palm Desert CA in 1994 where she spent her time volunteering at the Rancho Mirage Library and other organizations. She also began working on a yet unfinished historical novel set in the 1800's, which involved travel and research across the West and in Boston for the remainder of her years.

Paula moved to Sacramento CA in 2007 to spend time with her beloved grandchildren, work on her novel, and travel with her special friend Tom Dumble. Paula was able to travel with Tom on his USAid agriculture trips around Eastern Europe and Latin America. One highlight was ziplining in the Costa Rica rainforest at age 70, despite her usual fear of heights. Paula also earned credentials to work as a certified mediator for Sacramento County small claims and family law courts. Paula had a lifelong interest in learning, reading, cooking and trying new things. Her family will hold a private remembrance to honor her life.