Barbara M. Thomas

Barbara May Thomas, age 86, of Caton, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023 at Guthrie Corning Hospital. She was born on January 24, 1937 in Elmira, the daughter of the late Carlton and Lenora (Whitaker) Riesbeck. She married Damon Card, Jr. on December 8, 1951. He predeceased her on September 13, 1987. She later married Robert Thomas on January 8, 1994. He predeceased her on June 21, 2019.
Barb had many people who called her grandma, she liked baking cookies, baking pies, family get togethers, crossword puzzles, playing cards, and camping. She always had hugs and kisses goodbye for everyone. Barb was a member of the Corning Elks Club, the American Legion Auxiliary in Hallstead PA, the Moose Club Fellsmere in Florida, and the Airboat Club also in Fellsmere, Florida.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Paul Card, Lee Card, Mike Card and Diana Westlake, Carl and Lori Card, Susan and Rick Nelson, David and Jennifer Card, and Jeff and Diane Card, step children and their spouses, Jim and Susan Thomas, Steven and Darla Thomas, Linda and Ron Stone, Nancy and John Kees, Vern and Terri Thomas, and Luke and Jodi Thomas, 15 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren, siblings, Marilyn (Ted Heagle) Nehring, Wayne Riesbeck, and Joyce McQuillen, brother-in-law, Alex Card, sisters-in-law Dorothy Eldred and Pat Card, step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Barb was predeceased by her brothers, Raymond and Mark Riesbeck, and brothers-in-law, Leon Card and Ed McQuillen.
Special Message: Barb wanted everyone to know that she loved them very much.
Family and friends are invited to call at Phillips Funeral Home, 17 West Pulteney Street, Corning on Monday, July 10, 2023 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. A celebration of Barb's life will follow there at 12:00 noon. To join the livestream, go to the funeral home home page and click on the Phillips Live Streaming tab. Burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Brian Casetta, Dr. Venugopal Thirumurti, Corning Rite Aid Pharmacy, Meals on Wheels, Corning Hospital, and special friend, Russell Feldeisen.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations to the Caton Volunteer Fire Department, 1118 Caton Road, Corning, NY 14830 or Corning Meals on Wheels by going to cmowheels.com.