Evelyn Louise Thomas was born June 8th, 1949 here in San Diego. Known as Ev by friends and family, she spent her youth in the southern California beach culture. In 1970 she met and married a sailor back from Vietnam named Reid. In 1972, after Reid’s second tour and enlistment was up, they moved with their 6-month-old son Ryan to Pennsylvania. They moved to the middle of nowhere in the middle of Pennsylvania. No name, no town, just a vague area designation because the Post Office had to call it something. An area called Etters.
Here she built their sandalwood colored home, a decision which caused decades of teasing and torment by her family. For those unfamiliar with sandalwood, think pink. It was also the only color Reid asked Ev not to pick. In their new home, she assumed the role of housewife and mother, raising Ryan and preparing excellent meals. In 1976 they welcomed a daughter into the family and named her Shannon. She remained a housewife and mother for many years, raising Ryan, Shannon, and a dog named Josie. On the side, she sold Tupperware, taught herself the art of macramé, taught herself to play the piano, served as a brownie troop leader, and collected Gregorian Copper. She collected A LOT of Gregorian Copper.
When Ryan and Shannon were old enough, she entered the workforce as an assistant to a Pennsylvania State Representative. After a time, she worked as the office manager and bookkeeper for the Thomas Family Business. She also bought her third child, an African Grey Parrot she named Gracie. She changed the name to Buster when it was discovered the parrot was a boy. After a time, she assumed another name. Bubby was what she was known as by her grandchildren.
In 1999 Reid, Ev, and Buster moved back to San Diego, where she continued to work as a bookkeeper, taught herself the art of Beading, enjoyed puzzles, and prepared excellent meals. And no, the new home was not sandalwood.
Evelyn is survived by: her husband of 50 years Reid, her brother Ken, her son Ryan, her daughter Shannon, her parrot Buster, her 7 Grandchildren, and her 11 Great Grandchildren.
Just as she was always there for her family in life, she will always be here with her family in death.
A celebration of life for Evelyn will be held Friday, August 21, 2020 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Conrad Lemon Grove Mortuary, 7387 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.conradlemongrove.com for the Thomas family.
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