ELIZABETH DENYSE THOMAS

1955 - 2021

Elizabeth Denyse Thomas, 66, of Virginia Terrace, Forty Fort, and Laurel Avenue, Summit, N.J., passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home in Summit, N.J., on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

Elizabeth, affectionately known as "Liz," was born in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on Jan. 21, 1955, to Rosaleen Brady Thomas and Tyssul G. "Red" Thomas, who served during World War II with the 109th Field Artillery Regiment, and as commander of the 109th National Guard Field Artillery, retiring with the rank of colonel.

Liz, who had Down syndrome, graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School and worked at Meals on Wheels in her younger days.

Liz had many special friends through her active participation in Day Development, Kingston, and Verve Vertu Art Studio, Dallas. She was proud of her artwork, which was often featured in Deutsch Institute artwork exhibitions and in the pages of The Citizens' Voice.

She was passionate about Broadway show tunes, old television shows and football. Her favorite teams included Penn State and Notre Dame, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.

In addition to her parents, Tyssul and Rosaleen Thomas, Liz was preceded in death by her grandmother, Minerva Kirsch Brady; and her aunts, May Thomas, Bessie Morgan and Denyse Brady Clucas.

Liz is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Pauline A. Thomas and Fredric M. Bell; her nieces, Martha G. Bell and Elisabeth C. Bell; her nephew, Thomas T. Bell; her cousins, Sherry Morgan and David Morgan; her grand-nephew, Andrés Ramón; and her grand-niece, Nora Ramón.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to all who helped Liz through the difficult times, especially Gwen, Theresa, Alexandrina and Micheline. They wish to also extend a special thank you to Dr. Brett Pette, Dr. Pouja Ahuja and Dr. Preeti Puntambekar.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Liz's viewing which will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.

Family and friends are also invited to attend Liz's blessing service which will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery, 612 Mount Olivet Road, Wyoming, with the Rev. Joseph J. Pisaneschi, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville, officiating. The Rite of Committal will be bestowed at the conclusion of the blessing service, followed by burial in the family lot.

Those who will be attending the funeral service are kindly asked to assemble directly at the chapel of Mount Olivet Cemetery, as there will be no procession from the funeral home.

The family requests all those attending the viewing and/or funeral service to wear a mask and maintain social distancing in accordance with the C.D.C.'s COVID-19 guidelines.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Liz's memory to the Luzerne County Special Olympics, 100 Lake St., Dallas, PA 18612, or the Verve Vertu Art Studio, 24 Main St., Dallas, PA 18612.