Pat Thomas

Obituary Patricia "Pat" Thomas THOMAS Pat Thomas February 4, 1933 January 5, 2016. Our beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother passed away suddenly, yet peacefully, on January 5, 2016 at Memorial Central Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. Pat died while fighting pneumonia. Born in Decatur, IL to Julius and Alta Grabenhofer, she moved often due to her fathers work. After graduating high school in 1950 in Grove City, PA, she attended Goucher College and then the University of Miami. She worked at Towmotor Corp. in East Cleveland where she met a recently widowed young executive. Pat and Bob were married on February 17, 1967. With the marriage, the new family instantly grew to 6 with Bobs two boys--Robert (Bobby), James (Jimmy)--and Pats two boys Jack [deceased], and David. Christopher and Linda soon followed. Pats favorite hobbies were the arts and the outdoors, especially birding and she shared her passion for each with her family. She was frequently involved in civic duties, supporting programs by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Cleveland, to providing director critiques of the latest Cleveland Opera production. She was involved the Episcopal Society for Cultural Integration and Unity program at a time when that wasnt a very popular thing to do. When Pat and Bob moved to St. Augustine she continued volunteering, assisting with premature baby care at Shands Jacksonville Hospital and serving at the Cummer Museum of Art. In 2004 she won the Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year award from the Florida Times-Union. Following Bobs retirement at 82 in 2007 and his sudden death in 2008, Pat relocated closer family in Colorado Springs, CO. She enjoyed the beauty of the Springs and made a bevy of new friends. Left to cherish her memory are her sons Robert (Ursula) CA; James (Patty)-OH, DIL Mary Pat-CO, David-OH, Christopher (Kirsten)-IL; and daughter Linda (Jamie)-TX; her brother, Robert IN, and nieces, Marge and Carolyn, and nephew Ron. Also missing her are 12 grandchildren, 5 spouses and 13 great grandchildren. Her cremation has been entrusted to Cappadonna Funeral Home in Colorado Springs. A great gathering for the Celebration of her Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 28, 2016. Memorial gifts are welcomed at any of the following: The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204; The Southern Poverty Law Center, Inc. 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery AL, 36104; Eden Valley Enterprise, 1250 East River St. Elyria Ohio 44035; and, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Development Office, 11021 East Blvd. Cleveland, OH 44106. Services Funeral Service