Obituary: Theresa Ann Thomas (nee Lynch)

Theresa Ann Thomas (nee Lynch) was born March 14, 1942, and raised in Manoa, Havertown, Pennsylvania. She is a first-generation Irish American. Her parents, John Lynch and “Tess” Lynch (nee Quane), both immigrated to the U.S. in the early 20th century.

Theresa went to nursing school at Fitzgerald Mercy, a teaching hospital in Philadelphia. Upon graduation, she went to work in the hospital. One of her first responsibilities there involved the creation of a neonatal intensive care unit for the hospital. She worked in the NICU for several years.

She met L. Paul Thomas in early 1966 and they were married in Manoa, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 17, 1966. They moved to Lewiston in December of 1966, where they both became involved in the social fabric of the area.

In 1969, she and a small, dedicated group of volunteers assumed the responsibility for the Lewiston Art Festival from the Lewiston Business and Professional Association. This small group of volunteers was responsible for the creation/incorporation of the Lewiston Council on the Arts and the continuation of the Lewiston Art Festival. Theresa was active in this group, holding positions of president and director of the board as well as chairman of the Art Festival. Theresa was also an accomplished artist in oil painting.

She continued working in nursing, for the local Ransomville Hospital and later for Fairchild Manor Nursing Home in Lewiston, as a visiting nurse and a substitute nurse at Lew-Port. In the 1990s, she became the director of nursing for St. Mary’s Manor Nursing Home on Sixth Street in Niagara Falls. She was also a licensed nursing home administrator. In addition, she ran a catering business, “Epicurean Party Planners,” with a partner for several years.

Theresa is survived by her husband of 58 years; two successful daughters: Tara and Siobhan; four grandchildren; and a younger sister, Sheila Peters.

Services will be limited to family and close friends only. Donations to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers would be appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hardison Funeral Home, North Fourth and Ridge streets, Lewiston. Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online condolences.