Donna M. THOMAS, 95, of Ulysses, PA, died Wednesday, April 21, 2021 in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport.
Born May 25, 1925, at home on Algonquin Street in Detroit, MI, she was the daughter of Elton Newman and Dorothy May Toepfer Rockwell. She was a 1943 graduate of Southeastern High School in Detroit. On February 21, 1959, in Doylestown, she married Jack R. Thomas, who predeceased her on February 26, 2016. Mrs. Thomas and her husband owned and operated a dairy farm in Ulysses. For many years, they made maple syrup by open pan wood fire and gave most of it away. She was employed as a teacher’s aide in the Northern Potter School District for many years. Donna was a member of the Ulysses United Methodist Church, UMW, and served as a Sunday school teacher. She carried on a tradition from her mother of making felt stockings for grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Donna loved to travel by bus, train, or automobile. One of her travel highlights was chaperoning her grandson Brian’s senior trip to Europe.
Surviving are: six children, Eldon (Linda) Achberger of Lantana, FL, Katherine (Rod) Fontanella of Wellsboro, Curt (Ann) Achberger of Montoursville, and Eric (Pam) Achberger of Baton Rouge, LA, Jack R. (Kathy) Thomas, Jr. of Ulysses, and Tracy (Bobbie Jo) Thomas of Osceola; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Sue Williams of Genesee; sister-in-law, Janice Thomas of Bedminster; nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a granddaughter, Riley Thomas; a great-grandson, Ty Finkele; three siblings, Elton N. Rockwell, Nancy Marilyn Goettling, and John Lewis Rockwell; her parents-in-law, Clyde and Helen Paige Thomas; and a brother-in-law, Clyde Thomas, Jr.
Burial will be in Ulysses Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be held on a later date.
Memorials may be made to Ulysses Library, P.O. Box 316, Ulysses, PA 16948.
Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
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