Beverly Thomas

Beverly Thomas, a beloved former French language teacher at Norwalk High School, passed away peacefully at her home in Norwalk days before her 94th birthday.
She was born in 1931 in Whitman, Massachusetts, daughter of the late Edith and John Thomas, and sister to Lois, her twin Barbara, and Priscilla. "Bevie" (to her friends and family) received her bachelor'sdegree from Bridgewater Teacher's College in 1953 and went on to earn her Master's Degree from Tufts University, graduating with honors. She received a Hayes-Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Strasbourg in France, and in 1968 took a year's sabbatical from teaching and earned a diploma at the SorbonneUniversity in Paris. A consummate Francophile, she taught French for 37 years, first in Whitman then in Connecticut, at West Rocks Jr. High School and Norwalk High School. In 1982, she was a finalist for Connecticut's Teacher of the Year. She was a passionate and dedicated teacher who once had a Parisian Café built in her classroom, delighted in serving pain au chocolat to her students, ran the French club after school and chaperoned many student groups to France. During her retirement she enjoyed trips throughout Europe and the US, with her late long-time companion, former Wolfpit principal Bill Israel. When they weren't traveling, Bevie and Bill enjoyed weekly date nights at the Pepper Mill Restaurant until it closed several years ago. She and her dear friend Joyce Slayton Mitchell co-authored the guide Paris by Pastry together. Beverly was loved by many and cherished for her charm, consistently positive attitude, interest in others and sense of humor. She maintained wonderful, long-term friendships with former colleagues and students throughout her life.
Beverly is survived by her devoted niece and nephews Penelope, Jonathan, Matthew, David and Peter Kim, her great nieces and nephew Meredith, Gillian, Eloise and Roman, as well as her adopted sister, Ronda Gamble, who all treasured Bevie's many visits over the decades.
We invite you to visit with the family from 11:00 to 12:00 with a celebration of Beverly's life beginning at 12:00 on April 18, 2025, at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Ave. Norwalk, CT.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Bridgewater College Financial Assistance Fund, BSU Foundation, PO Box 42, Bridgewater, MA, 02324