Obituary for Catherine Florence Thomas
Catherine Florence Thomas (1927 – 2020) a faithful wife, loving mom, beautiful grandmother and precious great-grandmother, passed away on August 26, 2020 at the age of 92, in the privacy of her own home surrounded by loved ones, and entered into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Catherine was born on November 9, 1927 at St Anthony’s Hospital. She grew up in the town of Wailuku, Maui, in the home of Aloysius S. and Annie C. Spenser along with her 10 siblings. She graduated in 1945 from St. Anthony’s High School and after graduating, pursued a vocation in nursing at the St. Francis Nursing School on Oahu. Her nursing career began at the Kuakini Children’s Hospital in Honolulu, HI, and she eventually became the Head Nurse of the Pediatric Outpatient Department at the Kapiolani Women and Children’s Medical Center, where she selflessly served to the families of Hawaii for over 30 years until her retirement.
Her love for family and her Catholic faith drew her and her late husband, Walter N. Thomas Jr. (Billy) together in holy matrimony on Feb 23, 1952. Beginning in 1953 with the birth of their first son, Walter N. Thomas, III, they would raise 8 sons & 3 daughters together in Kaneohe on the island of Oahu.
While raising her children on Oahu, Catherine believed in laughter while living, serving her church and community. She loved playing the ukulele on Sunday afternoons to entertain her children and would never say no to a game of Scrabble. She was a member of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church Altar and Rosary Society, volunteered at the annual church carnival and served the parish on a regular basis.
Catherine, “Mommy”, as she was affectionately called by her kids, was always available to attend band recitals, sporting events, and other events where her children would be performing or recognized for a special accomplishment. Throughout her lifetime, she attended each of her children’s weddings, witnessed as a son received a commission as a military officer, attended several graduation ceremonies and experienced the joy of holding many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in her arms. She will be missed by all.
Catherine is survived by her eleven children Walter N Thomas III (Arlene), Margaret M Booth (Don), John P Thomas (Mary), Charles T. (Collette) Thomas, Ann T. (Don) Airey, Susan C. (Don) Gorgas, Aloysius S. (Lita) Thomas, Henry E. (Christina) Thomas, Damien K. (Laura) Thomas, Benedict A. (Chris) Thomas, Richard S. (Renee) Thomas, thirty grandchildren, and forty-one great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers; Aloysius (Grace) Spenser, Charles (Pat) Spenser and her sisters; Evelyn Everett, Betty (Terry) Barry, and Teresa Ventura.
She is preceded by her husband Walter N Thomas Jr, her siblings; Anne Vida, Clarence Spenser, Patsy Thomas, Robert “Bobby” Spenser, Francis Garcia, and three dear grandchildren; Whitney K Thomas, Rebekah C Booth and Frank Oberle.
Catherine was born on November 9, 1927 at St Anthony’s Hospital. She grew up in the town of Wailuku, Maui, in the home of Aloysius S. and Annie C. Spenser along with her 10 siblings. She graduated in 1945 from St. Anthony’s High School and after graduating, pursued a vocation in nursing at the St. Francis Nursing School on Oahu. Her nursing career began at the Kuakini Children’s Hospital in Honolulu, HI, and she eventually became the Head Nurse of the Pediatric Outpatient Department at the Kapiolani Women and Children’s Medical Center, where she selflessly served to the families of Hawaii for over 30 years until her retirement.
Her love for family and her Catholic faith drew her and her late husband, Walter N. Thomas Jr. (Billy) together in holy matrimony on Feb 23, 1952. Beginning in 1953 with the birth of their first son, Walter N. Thomas, III, they would raise 8 sons & 3 daughters together in Kaneohe on the island of Oahu.
While raising her children on Oahu, Catherine believed in laughter while living, serving her church and community. She loved playing the ukulele on Sunday afternoons to entertain her children and would never say no to a game of Scrabble. She was a member of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church Altar and Rosary Society, volunteered at the annual church carnival and served the parish on a regular basis.
Catherine, “Mommy”, as she was affectionately called by her kids, was always available to attend band recitals, sporting events, and other events where her children would be performing or recognized for a special accomplishment. Throughout her lifetime, she attended each of her children’s weddings, witnessed as a son received a commission as a military officer, attended several graduation ceremonies and experienced the joy of holding many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in her arms. She will be missed by all.
Catherine is survived by her eleven children Walter N Thomas III (Arlene), Margaret M Booth (Don), John P Thomas (Mary), Charles T. (Collette) Thomas, Ann T. (Don) Airey, Susan C. (Don) Gorgas, Aloysius S. (Lita) Thomas, Henry E. (Christina) Thomas, Damien K. (Laura) Thomas, Benedict A. (Chris) Thomas, Richard S. (Renee) Thomas, thirty grandchildren, and forty-one great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers; Aloysius (Grace) Spenser, Charles (Pat) Spenser and her sisters; Evelyn Everett, Betty (Terry) Barry, and Teresa Ventura.
She is preceded by her husband Walter N Thomas Jr, her siblings; Anne Vida, Clarence Spenser, Patsy Thomas, Robert “Bobby” Spenser, Francis Garcia, and three dear grandchildren; Whitney K Thomas, Rebekah C Booth and Frank Oberle.