Veronica Thom

Veronica was born at Enmore, Guyana, to Neil and Bernice Mojum. She was the first of eleven siblings, three girls and eight boys. Her family was tightly knit. She had a protective father and a caring mother who were both diligent and indefatigable in providing for a large family. Soon after graduating from High School, Veronica accepted employment at one of the largest garment factories at the time in Guyana to help her family. Her siblings called her Sissy, a cherished name for a big sister.

After a brief courtship, Veronica married Rodwell Thom on April 28, 1979. The couple settled at Buxton Front (Guyana) and their home became a gathering point for her husband’s many friends. Veronica quickly adjusted to the new situation and endeared herself to a new circle of friends. The “bottom house” was where friends from Luther League, the cricket team, and the karate club would gather for conversation and goodies that Veronica provided. There were also occasional parties where the music played late into the night, couples danced, and life-long friendships were forged.

Veronica and her husband lived in a house owned by the Lutheran Church in Guyana. Eventually the house was offered to the couple at a reasonable price. However, it presented a financial challenge, but the couple loved the house and wanted to own it. Veronica was still working at the garment factory and Rodwell was a primary school teacher. It was around that time that Veronica would make the phrase “God will provide” her own. She prayed about the house. She asked her husband to walk around the house and pray. He did. She took a close look at their income, made plans, had an agreement with the church administration, and with some unexpected windfalls along the way, the couple purchased their first home. Thereafter, throughout their forty-four years of marriage, when any kind of challenge or difficulty arose, her response was always, “God will provide.” Her husband in time became a preacher, but she was the believer. Whenever he hesitated with “but…” Veronica would ask her husband, “Didn’t you preach something about faith last Sunday?”

Three years into their marriage, Veronica’s husband was discerning a call to full time ministry in the Lutheran Church. They had rejoiced in the birth of their first son, Joel, who was then two years old, and there were many questions and unknowns to such a call. The couple prayed constantly about it and committed their ways to the Lord. Seminary life presented a challenge. In those days (1981), married students’ accommodation at seminary was not on the church’s or seminary’s agenda. Veronica did not accept that situation but was limited in what could be done while her husband was at seminary in Jamaica. The first two academic years were spent apart from each other. As always, Veronica said, “God will provide.” She raised flocks of ducks, sold them, raising enough money for plane tickets for herself and Joel to accompany her husband to Jamaica. Her ability to stretch a dollar, to save, to hunt for bargains, to accept difficult economic times, to say no to herself in favor of her son and her husband cannot be overlooked. It got them through seminary. With a growing number of married students from the Lutheran and other denominations, with behind-the-scenes advocacy, the seminary in Jamaica eventually built its first dorms for married students. By then Rodwell had already graduated and returned with Veronica and Joel to Guyana (1987). Twenty-five years later, Veronica’s husband was invited to preach on Founder’s Day at his alma mater and the couple had the distinct pleasure of living for a week in the “married students’ quarters.” Veronica was indeed a true partner for her husband.

During their first call to Advent Lutheran Parish, the couple welcomed their second son, Jonathan, eight years younger than Joel. Veronica set about to make the parsonage a home and to ensure her family was comfortable. She was an avid supporter of her husband’s ministry. Together, they served Advent Lutheran Parish (West Coast Berbice, Guyana), St. Andrew Lutheran Parish (East Coast Demerara, Guyana), St. Martin Lutheran Church (Brooklyn, NY), Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (East Orange, NJ), and in the past ten years, Peace Lutheran Church (Pasadena TX). The couple decided early to share in ministry events. Veronica frequently accompanied her husband to church events, conventions, assemblies, and worship services. They were inseparable.

Undoubtedly, the death of the couple’s second son, Jonathan, was a body blow for Veronica (January 2022). Her pain was deep, her struggle was intense, and her faith nose-dived as she sought to reconcile the goodness of God with her son’s experience. “God will provide” she told her son, but she felt disappointed, if not betrayed, that this time, God’s answer was not what she expected. It took her months to return to the sanctuary, yet it was a rocky and storm-tossed sea to navigate. Her charming smile belied the pain within. Thanks be to God that God is greater than her unanswered questions and spiritual struggle. She was coming to terms with her loss when she was caught in her own storm of illness. The end was swift and sent shockwaves among her family and friends. Her baptismal vows are completed, she is at peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The last thing she heard from her husband was, “It’s OK. God loves you. I love you. Joel loves you. Lori loves you. Jason and Emily love you. We are going to be OK.” Veronica departed in peace with the faith that in Christ “it will be OK, and if it is not OK, it will be OK.”

Veronica leaves in the providential care of God

- her husband, Pastor Rodwell Thom

- her son, Joel, and daughter-in-law, Lori

- her grandchildren, Jason and Emily

- her siblings Nal, Patricia (Archie), Bharat (Bibi), Roy (Shenny), Ronald (Carol), Manraj (Indira)

- sibling’s in-law Gary (June), Rushell (Brian), Corliss (Kurt), Anthea, and Sven

- a host of nephews, nieces, extended family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by

- her parents, Neil and Bernice Mojum

- her siblings Ram, Latchman, Satrohan, Neil Jr., and Ann.

- her beloved aunt Pearly and cousin, Rev. Fr. Issac Persaud

- her cherished son, Jonathan.

- her beloved sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Liz).

A Wake service will be Friday, September 29, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Peace Lutheran Church, 6435 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, Texas. Visitation will be Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with a Celebration of Veronica's Life beginning at 2:00PM, followed by a fellowship meal.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandviewfunerals.com for the Thom family.