Jennifer Regina Thomas

Jennifer Regina Thomas of Boston, Massachusetts, passed away on April 30th, 2024. She is survived by her mother, Elaine Ann Thomas, sisters Elizabeth “Lisa” Powers and her husband Mark of Shrewsbury, MA; Debra Oliva and her husband Anthony of Manlius, NY; and Stephanie Thomas and her husband Steven of Nashua, NH. Also surviving are many beloved nieces and nephews: Rebekah & Marlena Powers; Gabriella, Maria, Mary Grace, Jonathan & Gianna Oliva; and Tej, Deven & Kai Thomas. Jennifer was predeceased by her father, Elapumkal Augustine Thomas.

Jennifer was born on May 1, 1972, and graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School in 1990, Simmons College with a bachelor’s in education in 1994, and Northeastern University with a master’s in human development in 1996. Jennifer had a varied career that included working as a nanny for Parents-in-a-Pinch, as a human resources representative for Tufts Medical Center, as an administrative assistant for the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, and as a human resources representative for the Massachusetts College of Art.

Jennifer enjoyed going on long walks in Boston and Cocoa Beach, Florida, ice skating at Steriti ice skating rink in the North End, reading about her Catholic faith, and participating in prayer groups, Bible studies and retreats with her mother and many friends. She did volunteer work supporting cancer patients, she was a lector at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, and she was a financial patron of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Jennifer loved her Catholic faith; she had a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, our Blessed Mother Mary and the rosary. Jennifer enjoyed living in Boston for over thirty years, and she especially loved living in the Boston’s North End during the last four years of her life; she took particular delight in all of the Italian feasts, festivals and traditions. Jennifer was a faithful parishioner of St. Leonard’s parish, and recently was participating in a well-attended Bible study program there, even leading one of the meetings. Jennifer was well-traveled; she took a trip to Russia to visit a pen-pal while she was in high school, made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina with her sister Stephanie while she was in her early 20s, and more recently made a memorable pilgrimage to Guadalupe, Mexico with her mother. As a child Jennifer took road trips all over the United States with her family, and in recent years she enjoyed countless summer trips to Vermont and the New York Finger Lakes to spend time with her mother, sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. In the last year of her life Jennifer enjoyed spending time with her close friend, Mark Liptak of Pittsburgh, PA and Cocoa Beach, FL. They were discerning marriage.

Jennifer will be remembered as a light to her family. She was a loving daughter, sister and aunt, never forgetting a birthday, anniversary or other milestone. She always arrived to family gatherings looking beautiful and with a smile on her face. Her family loved her culinary creations, especially her well-known Caprese salad. Jennifer’s friends loved her for her sweetness, thoughtfulness and readiness for dinner, daytrips and any type of adventure. Jennifer’s presence in our lives was a comfort and joy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 10:30am in St. Leonard Church, 320 Hanover St, Boston. Services will conclude with interment in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. There are no visiting hours. Contributions may be made to Cradles to Crayons, P.O. Box 411310, Boston, MA 02241-1310 or online at: www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/donate-now/