Wilma J. "Pinky" Thomas

Wilma June Thomas (neé Skinner) was born to William Grandville and Florence Joyce (neé Laughlin) Skinner on November 27, 1930 in Prospect, Ohio, the second youngest of nine children. While playing a softball game in junior high, she slid into second base wearing a skirt, exposing her underwear and earning herself the nickname Pinky—and it stuck. Pinky graduated from Prospect High School in 1948.

She married Robert Gene Thomas on September 9, 1952. They had three children: Jeff, Tony, and Robin. The family moved around the Midwest and settled in Downer’s Grove, Ill., where Pinky took a temp job as an office manager for the DuMond Company—and stayed for 20 years.

Bob and Pinky retired to Erie, Colo., in 1998, where they were members of Rocky Mountain Christian Church. Pinky loved singing country western and gospel classics, spending time with her grandkids, and God help the person who stood between her and the TV when the Chicago Bears were playing.

Pinky was a four-year resident of Alta Vita Assisted Living in Longmont, Colo. A famed conversationalist, her social calendar was always full.

She passed away on July 8, 2022 and will be forever missed by her children, Jeff Thomas and wife Linda, Tony Thomas and wife Audrey, Robin Breffle and husband Steve; grandchildren, James Helms, Clint Thomas, Maggie Keller, Jake Thomas, Josh Breffle, and Cari Bourgeon; and 11 great-grandchildren. Pinky outlived nearly all her extended family and is now reunited in Glory with her beloved husband, Bob.

Cremation has been entrusted to Howe Mortuary and Crematory of Longmont.

A celebration of Pinky’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2022, with visitation one hour prior at Rocky Mountain Christian Church in Niwot with Pastor Josh Breffle officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Reality Sports (realitysports.org) or Habitat for Humanity (habitat.org).