OBITUARY

Mary Jane Thomas

June 3, 1927 – December 20, 2020

On Sunday, December 20, 2020, Mary Jane Thomas of Euclid, Ohio passed away at age 93, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She leaves behind three children to mourn: Wendell A. Thomas, Yasmine J. Thomas, and Linda R. Thomas-Cunningham, as well as ten grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren (with an additional two on the way), four great-great-grandchildren, two sisters, and a host of other relatives. She was preceded in death by her loving husband James W. Thomas, daughter Diane M. Thomas, mother, father, three sisters, and three brothers.

Born Maria Vincenza Fantin in Lorain, Ohio on June 3, 1927, Mary Jane as she became known, was the second eldest of nine children born to Maria (Fogliatto) and Frank Fantin. Growing up Roman Catholic, Mary Jane received the sacraments of baptism, first Holy Communion, and confirmation and attended Catholic schools graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1945.

Mary Jane met James Thomas in the early 1950s and married on June 21, 1953, in Summit County Ohio. They relocated to Chicago Illinois where Wendell was born in late 1954. After a short time in Chicago, they moved back to Ohio, settling in Cleveland where Yasmine, Diane, and Linda were born. Mom, as she became affectionately known to all of the children’s friends and later the grandchildren, worked in the accounting field for several companies, retiring from PNC in 1993. After retirement, she worked tirelessly for Parents of Murdered Children (PMOC) as their treasurer and went to court with many families to seek justice in the murder of their loved ones. As a commemoration, she sent the families cards on the anniversaries of their loss.

Mom loved unconditionally and was loved by all for her kindness and accepting nature. She was an avid reader, liked to travel, enjoyed crossword and other puzzles but loved nothing more than spending time with her family. Mom was a loving and supportive mother/grandmother and will be greatly missed. Comfort is taken in knowing she led a life well lived for she made a huge impact on so many. The family humbly requests that donations be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church 140 Richmond Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44143. Private Interment will immediately follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Social distancing and wearing a mask will be required. The ceremony will be live-streamed at https://sjceuclid.com/livestream-funerals.

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Mary Jane Thomas

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Nadya Thomas

January 15, 2021

Dear Mom,

Although your spirit has transitioned from this lifetime to the next, your love remains. It runs through our blood. It will be different going over Yaya’s and not seeing you watching TV or in the kitchen eating. I am so thankful to have known and been loved by you. I cherish all of my memories of you and hold them close to my heart. I feel safe and warm knowing that your love is surrounding and protecting me. I love you Mom, I’ll miss your voice and everything about you.

Ann Lindsey-Frost

January 14, 2021

To the Thomas Family, Though I am far away.. Yet oh so close in my heart in Prayer for You All. May the Peace and Serenity of God cover you all during this time and Forevermore.
Your Mother, a Great Soul, Gracious, Full of Compassionate, and Love will always be sincerely remembered.
May God's Healing rays Keep You All Covered with Strength and Comfort 💐

Linda Thomas-Cunningham

January 14, 2021

Today as we prepare to say our final goodbye, my heart is so heavy. I am eternally grateful for all the love you gave us as well as all the sacrifices you made. It was such a blessing to have you as my mother and you were a wonderful grandmother to my children. It was an honor to help care for you in your time of need. Please know that you left a huge impact on all of our lives. We will forever cherish our memories of you, and there is no doubt that you are now in heaven with daddy and Diane. I will make sure that all future generations know how wonderful you were.

I love you for eternity,
Linda

Herb Morris

January 13, 2021

As we continue our journey through this life we were given. God puts those in place that make a difference in people's lives. Either you can write a sentence, paragraph, or a book about people. I can close my eyes and take myself back to my 13 year old self and hear your voice saying " Bobby Herbies on the phone" or opening your door and letting me in treating me no different than you would treat your own family. Your life was definitely a book and you definitely left a legacy. We all must be lifted to the clouds one day you just made it before us. I can only pray that I will leave a mark on the world as you did. May your soul rest eternally love Herbie

Yasmine Thomas

January 13, 2021

Dear Mom-
I can barely find the words to describe the empty hole in my heart that has been left by your passing.
I am so very grateful to God for allowing me to participate in your care for so many years.
I feel I lost you as my mother many, many years ago as Alzheimer’s disease ravaged your mind. I feel as though I have lost my child.
The pain is indescribable as you were my entire Universe! I lived to take care of you and I am utterly loss without that defining role.
I can only take solace in knowing that you did not suffer and are now in Heaven watching over me, once again as my mother and heavenly Angel.
Until I see your beautiful smiling face again; rest in Heaven mom.
I will love you forever,
Yasmine

Shanda Vance

January 11, 2021

Mom you were one of the most giving and genuinely kind-hearted people I have ever known. Few can even come close to sharing the type of love that you gave to your family, which was given so freely that it overflowed onto friends of the family or whomever was blessed enough to be in your presence. I am so grateful to have had the pleasure of knowing, loving, and experiencing a spirit as beautiful as yours. Although we can no longer hug you and see you smiling, we can still feel the compassionate love you gave to everyone and it will forever flourish in our hearts.
Strength and abundant blessings to Linda, Yasmine, Wendell, and family...

Shanda Vance

Yehosef Thomas

January 7, 2021

Your generosity, compassion, and love always reminded me to never underestimate the power of a listening ear, thoughtful compliment, or small act of kindness. Though you have left us physically-- I know your spirit remains in the memory of all those that met you and who remember how you made them feel. Rest in peace, mom. Love, Yehosef.

Dr. Shenise Thomas

January 7, 2021

Grateful the Most High allowed us to meet. The conversation and encounter almost more than 30 years ago changed my life more than you know. Grateful! My prayer is the legacy you’ve left resonates infinitely. Love you Mom!

Aliece Barrow

December 31, 2020

God bless you! I know you are resting. I pray for the strength for the family. Love ya!!! You always had a smile on your face

Brianna Brown

December 30, 2020

Mom, you are deeply missed. You were an amazing grandmother, and my memories are filled with the examples you showed me of extreme kindness and selflessness. I will never forget your smile, your dancing, the family gathering around you, the way you knew all the actors and actresses in the movies we watched, the thick books you would read, how amazed I was at you finishing crosswords, spending the night over your house, trips to the store in your car listening to Frank Sinatra tapes, and so much more. I wish that I could have more time with you, but I’m grateful that I got to experience your presence and beauty for as much time as we had together. Thank you for always being there and supporting me at every milestone of my life. I love you more than words can express.

FROM THE FAMILY