THOMAS, Mary Gail

Greer's Mortuary Winslow, Arizona Gail Thomas April 02, 2010 Funeral Services for Gail Thomas, will be held Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 10:00 AM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The Canon Rev. Norman C. Burke officiating, with interment to follow at Desert View Cemetery Our Mother, Mary Gail Thomas, born on September 21, 1932, passed away after a long illness, on the beautiful spring day of April 2, 2010. She went to be with our Dad, Richard Thomas. She is at peace now with God. Known to many as Gail, she was born in Tucson, Arizona to Mae and Thomas Ingledew She had two sisters, Shirley and Phyliss and a brother Thomas. she graduated from Winslow High School in 1951. She married Frank Vaught and had three children, Gwen (Penny), Paul and Molly. She later married Richard Thomas and they combined their families adding Richard's children Terry, Diane, Cheryl, Tim, Suzi and Richie. In 1969 they welcomed Rebecca, everyone's bundle of joy. They later adopted Adrienne and Aaron and had Amy with them for a number of years. Between all the children, Gail and Richard had twenty-four grandchildren, thirty five great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Gail had many, many interests, she especially loved art. She was a popular artist and sold many paintings, but she also created other interesting pieces using gourds, saws and tea-kettles. She was a published writer and was active in a local writer's group. Working in her yard was one of her great joys. She loved her plants and flowers and sitting in her swing watching the birds that they attracted. She loved animals, especially her pets. She was a passionate doll collector. She was social and met many people going to the Falcon for coffee. It was also her favorite place to meet movie stars. She especially remembered meeting Johnny Depp. All her children remember how she loved hosting Halloween parties and scaring everyone. One year she dressed up as Gene Simmons of KISS and won a local costume contest. She loved fun and parties, once giving a baby shower for her dog. During her life she was involved in Cub Scouts, sorority and Al-Anon. She was an advocate for the Salvation Army and the Domestic violence organization. She worked a number of jobs including Ross' Drug, The Winslow Mail, Circle K and free-lance window painting. Over the last few years she was less active due to poor health, yet she still made sure to call her good friend Jim MCKinney to make sure he was doing okay. She will be remembered and missed by many.