Helen Eleanor Thomas

Helen Eleanor Thomas (née Kraich) was born on March 8th, 1938 in the southwestern Pennsylvania coal mining town of Mather. She spent her childhood living there and in Waynesburg, the third of eight children by Mary Kraich (née Evosirch) and John Kraich.

Helen grew up poor in a rural region marked by mining tragedies, in a community created and owned by the mining company. Her father died when she was 12 from black lung, and she, her mother, and her siblings moved into a converted turkey barn with no indoor plumbing. But to Helen, her early years were idyllic. The company store had the best peanut butter, summer days were filled with bike rides and swimming, and nights were spent with aunts, uncles, and cousins at the Croatian and Serbian clubs, dancing to polka music.

Helen was smart and sharp. She excelled at school but couldn't afford college, so she took high school classes geared towards secretarial training. After graduating from Waynesburg High, she accepted a job working for the Department of Agriculture, and moved from Pennsylvania to Washington, DC. That's where she met Charlie Thomas. She was with a friend on the steps of the Capitol when he spotted her and struck up a conversation. They were married the following year

Soon after, Helen welcomed her daughter, Karen Lynn Thomas, and her son, Daniel Thomas. The family moved to Charlie's home state of Massachusetts, where Helen worked for the Marine Hospital and won an award for her outstanding performance - something she remained proud of for the rest of her life.

The Thomases later moved to Natick, MA and bought the home where Helen lived until her death. She continued working for the Navy until retiring to help care for her granddaughters, Alexandra Prim and Stephanie Lischick (née Prim).

Helen, known as Nana, was an incredible grandmother. She brought the girls shopping on "pamper days," read them the works of Roald Dahl, and took them on the 12-hour drive to Waynesburg every summer so they could get to know the community and people she loved.

Helen also had two grandsons, Drazen Thomas and Darien Thomas, who live in Indonesia. She was dedicated to getting to know them through technology, and spent hours video chatting with them each day, buying cakes to celebrate their birthdays, and helping support them in every way.

Helen was passionate about running, and competed in the Tufts 10K for decades. She also jogged daily for more than 40 years, becoming a fixture in her neighborhood.

Helen was known for her kindness and generosity, but also for her stubbornness and private nature. So as her health declined over the last year, it wasn't immediately obvious. But when her condition worsened last fall, Helen's daughter recognized it, and stepped in to take over her parents' medical care and other responsibilities. Because of her, Helen received the best possible treatment, and so much love in her final months.

Helen died at Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice on February 13, 2026, three weeks shy of her 88th birthday. She spent her time there surrounded by loved ones who recounted stories from her life, sang her favorite songs, and hugged her close.

Helen is survived by her husband Charlie, her children Karen and Danny, her grandchildren Alex, Stephanie (and husband Grant Lischick), Drazen, and Darien, her great grandson Declan Thomas Lischick, and her siblings Martha Walters (née Kraich), Paul Kraich, and Danny Kraich. She also leaves behind Dahlia, a dear family pet.

She's predeceased by her parents Mary and John Kraich, her siblings Mike Kraich, Millie Kraich, Mary Ann Kraich, and Johnny Kraich, and beloved family dog Bowie.

Helen was the epitome of a complicated woman. She was strong and kind, private and passionate. She loved greatly and mourned deeply. She liked to laugh and sing and made so many people feel special.

She will be loved and missed forever, and never, ever forgotten - especially when a Dolly Parton or Loretta Lynn song starts to play.

Services for Helen will be only for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to Growing Up Greene or Green Forests Work