Clara Thomas

Clara Marie (Keirns) Thomas passed away on March 13, 2010 at Centre Avenue Health and Rehab Facility after battling leukemia for many years. She was born December 24, 1935 in Englewood, Colorado to Bert E. and Mary A. (Traut) Keirns. She married Owen E. Thomas on June 8, 1957 in Englewood, Colorado. Clara graduated from the University of Colorado in 1957 with a degree in journalism. She and Owen moved their family to Fort Collins in 1970. She worked as a teacher's aide for many years for the Poudre School District. An active parishioner at St. Joseph's Catholic Church for 40 years, Clara taught catechism and volunteered many hours at Mary's Closet. Clara and Owen traveled regularly, including trips to Alaska, Canada, and numerous visits to Europe. Clara also enjoyed bird-watching, hiking, camping, reading, knitting, cooking, and caring for her cats. Clara is survived by her husband of 52 years, Owen; her four children: Patrick (Heather) Thomas of Salt Lake City, Utah, Michael (Diane) Thomas of Englewood, Colorado, Bryan (Claudia) Thomas of Kents Store, Virginia, and Sandra (Kyle) Villers of Fort Collins; grandsons Andrew and David; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. Clara is preceded in death by her brother, George. A memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 300 W. Mountain Avenue. Memorial contributions may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P. O. Box 9031, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01202-9031.