Search Results

THOMAS -- Joan W. Thomas, longtime Albuquerque resident, died on April 26, 2007 after a brief illness. Joan celebrated her 80th birthday on February 19 of this year. Joan Patricia Willis was born in 1927, the daughter of Maxwell Jupiter, a German immigrant to America, and Grace Willis of New York. Grace was the daughter of Ira Willis, who escaped Russia before the Bolshevik Revolution, and Charlotte Tekulsky of New York. Joan's great-grandfather, Morris Tekulsky, was born in Poland in 1860, and became a prominent member of the Democratic Party of New York City. Joan was married in 1951 to David Arthur Thomas, who died in 1999. She supported and worked with her husband throughout his many career transitions, from journalist to magazine publisher, to dinosaur sculptor, and to author of articles on paleontology for Scientific American and Skeptical Inquirer. Joan is survived by her daughter, Deborah Jean Thomas; her son, David E. Thomas and wife, Pam; her grandsons, Matthew and Benjamin Thomas and wife, Valerie; a great-grandson, Aiden Marrick Thomas; and a brother-in-law, Frank J. Thomas and wife, Carol, and their extended family. Joan was born in New York City, and came to New Mexico in the late 1940s to help combat a severe case of tuberculosis. Joan recovered, and stayed in New Mexico. She attended UNM, where she met David A. Thomas, and was married after a brief but intense courtship. Joan worked for many years at the Music Mart in Albuquerque, and was general manager for her husband's dinosaur sculpting business for many years. She was a passionate news and television/film archivist, and enjoyed keeping up with and surpassing a great many "Jeopardy" contestants. Joan was very active in local Democratic Party politics in years past. Joan was engaged and interested in politics her whole life, and was appalled by the current administration's policies. She was a wonderful and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Joan was an enthusiastic supporter of New Mexicans for Science and Reason (NMSR) and the Coalition for Excellence in Science Education (CESE). She will be missed by her family and her many friends. Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010
        Published on: Sat May 05, 2007