Thana Edwards

Thana (Athanasia) Edwards, a retired elementary school educator, passed away in Tucson, Arizona on March 16, 2022 surrounded by family. She is survived by her two children, Theo (Michelle) and Christina (Andrew), three grandchildren and her three sisters Miranda Lomayestewa, Wanda Clayton, and Peggy Weiberg. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Mull, Sr. and Pauline Randall, and her four siblings, Charles Mull, Jr., Anthony Mull, Gerald Mull, Marion Boni, and Judy Smith.

Thana was born Dorothy Mull in 1943 in Miami, Arizona. She often told stories about her adventures in and around San Carlos, AZ with her beloved grandfather Andrew Kidde, her eight younger siblings and her dog, Muhdizglett. When Thana was of school age, she attended East Fork Lutheran School in White River, Arizona where she developed a lifelong love of learning and reading. Her sisters recently recounted a story about how she would play the organ during Sunday services there. Thana went to school in Springerville for a short while before moving to Phoenix where she attended Camelback High School and graduated in 1962. Throughout her time in school, Thana participated in chorus, drama, was a cheerleader and a member of National Honor Society. It was during this period of her life that Thana developed an affinity for music, singing, dancing, and discovering a passion for playing the piano.

Keen to expand her horizons, Thana decided to attend the University of Arizona, where she was the first member of her tribe to attend. There she earned a Bachelors of Arts in Music (1967) followed by a Masters of Education (1970). On summer vacations, Thana would spend time at the lakes around Tucson, occasionally travelling abroad to Europe, visiting museums, historical sites and even living in Amsterdam for a short period. Before committing to her career in elementary education, Thana was a choral instructor, piano teacher, middle-school teacher and even directed praiseworthy school pageants.

Thana touched the lives of many children as an elementary school teacher. She inspired her students to be creative, encouraged them to be curious and reminded them to have fun while learning about new subjects. Her dedication and enthusiasm opened a window for them onto a whole world of wonderous stories, beautiful art and new places to visit.

After retiring in 1999 from Nogales Unified School District and moving to the Pacific Northwest, Thana used her time to explore her new surroundings, read about its extensive history, and meet people from different Native American tribes. She delighted in attending all kinds of musical performances from classical to Indie rock as well as musical theatre productions, in both Seattle and Vancouver B.C. When Prince performed in Seattle, Thana spontaneously bought tickets for her and her daughter to watch him sing. Another memorable moment, Thana bought tickets for her children to see the Bolshoi Ballet perform and said “you haven’t lived until you have seen the Bolshoi Ballet live!”

Gregarious and charming, Thana was usually the life of the party and had a habit of making friends wherever she would go. She was a terrific storyteller, but also a great listener. Thana travelled extensively throughout Europe, most notably Greece where she fell in love with the history, art and culture. She visited a few parts of Mexico, becoming particularly fond of San Carlos, Sonora for the laid-back atmosphere and the good food. Drawn to nature, Thana loved being in the mountains and around pine forests or exploring the beach with her canine best friends, then her children and eventually grandchildren.

Thana had many gifts and natural talents that she was very modest about. Luckily she passed these gifts on to her children and also to her grandchildren. Her beloved grandchildren play the piano, sing, dance, enjoy watching musicals, and are all curious to expand their horizons like their Grandma Thana.

All those who knew her were inspired to appreciate art a little more, love good music, read a great book, eat delicious food, be more adventurous and to laugh a lot. A celebration of life will take place later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Thana Edwards, for the purchase of children’s books, to the San Carlos Apache Tribe Library to further encourage others to read and learn about the world outside that window she devoted herself to keeping open.

Please mail donations to Friends of the Miami Library, ℅ Gila County Library District, 1400 E. Ash Street, Globe, Arizona 85501 with a note “In Memory of Thana Edwards”