Thelma Jean Reade

Thelma Jean Reade was raised in Anaheim, CA, where she and her family lived on beautiful acreage of orange orchards. She was the eldest of four children born to parents, Eugene and Ruth. She had one brother (Charles-dec.) and identical twin sisters (Evelyn-dec. & Elaine). Her sisters were born on her third birthday. After she graduated from high school she was accepted into the School of Nursing at St Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA. Shortly thereafter, she decided to leave the program to become married and start a family. She married the love of her life, Nathan L Reade (dec.), and they had four children (Mark-dec., Carol, Susan & Irene). They ultimately settled in Costa Mesa, CA. Several years later she went to work in Food Services for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to help support putting her children through college.

She was an extremely loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was the grandmother of five (Scott, Elizabeth, Andrew, Melissa, & Evelyn) and great-grandmother of two (Nikolas & Mila). She had numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family/friends of whom she loved very much.

She was an avid gardener which was her real passion in life. She could tell you all about flowers, plants, and trees. She also loved the ocean and would frequently take her children to the beach so they would have the same love for the sea that she did.

She was a very compassionate, beautiful, loving, and humble woman. She was committed to helping others and served for many years as a Sunday School teacher. She also served as a deacon at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA, a church that she loved and supported in whatever way she could. She had very strong Christian faith which showed in her kindness to others. She truly had a heart of gold.

She is survived by her sister (Elaine), her three daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and daughter-in-law (Heather). She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.