Verna Thomas Obituary

Thomas, Verna After a mercifully brief final illness, Verna Emma Mae Thomas, nee Pogue, died at home on September 25 at age 96. Until the last month, she prided herself in regular workouts of at least four miles on her stationary bike. She never lost clarity of mind even as her body failed. She welcomed an end to her suffering tempered only by the regret of separation from the family to which she devoted her life. She was born August 21, 1918 in Toronto, Canada as one of 11 siblings of whom only sister Evelyn of Burbank, CA and brother Raymond of Toronto survive. Memories of Mom match the ideals of the "Greatest Generation". As a child of the Depression, she dropped out of school to support her mother and younger siblings. As with so many other young women of that time, she knew she exactly wanted: to get married and raise a bunch of kids. Her plan worked. She married Myrfyn "Murphy" Thomas in 1940 and bore him two daughters and three sons to whom she was tirelessly devoted. He survives her, having turned 100 on September 7. A major passage occurred when she, husband and five kids piled bag and baggage into the trunk of a 1951 Mercury and departed Toronto to immigrate to the U.S. The family arrived in St. Petersburg on Halloween night, 1954. While she hated leaving her Canadian family behind, in time she came to appreciate the change as her children flourished as new Americans. One child, Wendy, predeceased her. The other four mourn her passing: Judy Klykken (Nils) retired from a career as a teacher in Pinellas County Schools; Bryan Myrfyn Thomas (Marjorie Bekaert), an investor and attorney in Orlando; John Llewellyn Thomas retired as a teacher in Pinellas County Schools and now plays drums in Blue Lightning; and Thomas Alwyn Thomas (Dr. Cindy) maintains a C.P.A. practice in Orlando. The Depression might have robbed her of a chance to finish her education but she moved heaven and earth to support all of her children in earning college degrees. Mom is also survived by granddaughters Taylor and Tyler Thomas of Winter Park and Linda Lorrier Ramsey (Steve Ramsey) of Bradenton; grandson Byron Lorrier of Largo; great granddaughters Skylar Ramsey of Gainesville and Devin Ramsey of Orlando. Times were not always easy but, no matter how tough things got, she still managed to find a way to help those with less. Although she never learned to drive a car, she usually found herself exactly where she wanted to be: at home caring for her family. The family will observe her demise in a private ceremony. The family extends its special thanks to Dr. Scott Pollak whose care, attention and skill added years to our mother's life. In lieu of flowers, please honor her memory with a kindness to someone in need or a donation to the Rollins College Women's Lacrosse Team.

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Published by Orlando Sentinel from Sep. 30 to Oct. 1, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Verna Thomas

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2 Entries

Laureen Hunter

October 14, 2014

Aunt Verna: I'm going to miss our chats. Hugs, Reenie

Carol Zurcher

September 30, 2014

My heart goes out to the Thomas family and to everyone who met Verna. Even though my heart is breaking, I am so grateful for the time I spent with her. I met Verna Thomas 25 years ago when she would cook homemade dinners during tax season and bring them to the office for everyone who was working late. During the past decade, we developed a very special friendship.
Verna was an amazing lady who cared deeply for the people in her life, even if she met them for a brief moment. When I would visit her in the hospital, she would focus our conversations on her grandchildren, then on the other patients and her caregivers. She took the time to get to know them and their life stories. Our talks were never about the trials she was going through.
No one made a better cup of tea. I'm smiling thinking about the stories she would tell me about making tea for the family dog. I will miss have a cup of Red Rose (the only respectable tea) with her.
Every time I see a rose, I will think of her. Verna loved working in her rose garden. Her roses are truly beautiful but they pale in comparison to her inner and outer beauty.
I will remember Verna Baby, as she was fondly called, for her love of angels. To me she was an earth angel. Heaven is truly blessed to have her home. Everyone in the Thomas family made sure she got the care she needed. I am especially grateful to her son, J.T., for the unselfish care he bestowed on his Mother these past few months. I will carry Verna in my heart and continue to say praises for her life well lived.

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