Edith Louise Thomas

Edith Louise Thomas, October 8, 1919 – June 15, 2018, Vancouver B.C. At age 98 Edith passed away with her granddaughter Kathleen and daughter Beverley at her side. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend. Edith established strong bonds of friendship throughout her life. Despite adversity including spending 18 months with TB in a sanatorium in London, Ontario, the loss of her husband (RCAF pilot), Joseph Frank (Tommy) in 1949, she had the strength and courage to raise her two children Beverley and Douglas, thankfully with the support of her parents. Her nature was to be independent, right to the end. Edith was a modern feminist when feminism wasn’t popular nor heard of. She was often seen with her two grandchildren going door to door canvassing or walking in a peace march. She was an inspiration to many, having taught in Sunday School and guided young women in CGIT. Edith was always a beautiful, caring woman who had a wonderful sense of humour; she was non-judgmental with everyone. Edith enjoyed music, her church, travel, bridge, her choir and she particularly enjoyed her glass of wine with her sister-in-arms Dorothy. Edith’s first career started as a psychiatric nurse, and later as a dental assistant working for Dr. W.L. Elliot until her retirement in 1986. Edith then worked as a volunteer at the Everywoman’s Health Centre. Edith is survived by her daughter Beverley (Zan), son Douglas (Janet), grandchildren Kathleen (Bill) and Doug (Lisa), great grandchildren Tessa, Matthew and Carter and step great grandchildren Jessica and Chad. Her nephews, David (Gayle), Glenn & Gary (Colleen), and her great nieces Lindsay & Laurel and great nephew Jeffery were especially important to her. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews from Tommy’s family. Edith is predeceased by her sister Phyllis, her brother Howard, her sister-in-law Norma and her niece Judy. There will be no funeral. There will be a celebration of Edith’s life on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at The Hellenic Centre, 4500 Arbutus Street, Vancouver from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the CNIB (1.800.563.2642) or War Amps of Canada (1.800.250.3030) Edith’s family wish to thank the staff at Amica at Arbutus and the Finnish Care Home and especially Remy, Rosa, Luisita and Jane from Evergreen Nursing Services for their loving care of our mother in her last weeks.