Elizabeth Keegan Thomas

Elizabeth Keegan Thomas of 125 Putnam Ave., Hamden, died peacefully on March 16, 2006 after a heroic battle with cancer. Beth is the cherished wife of the late Earle F. Thomas, and loving mother of Sr. Barbara Thomas, ASCJ of Hamden, and Kevin Thomas of Putney, VT. She is deeply loved by her granddaughter Morgan (Jeff) Potter and great-granddaughter Molly Elizabeth Potter of Putney, VT. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, especially her niece Mary (Ricky) Peterson of Cheshire who has provided much care and support to Beth during her illness. Elizabeth Keegan Thomas, born in 1917 in New York City, is predeceased by five of her six brothers and sisters, Joe Keegan, Frank Keegan, Peter Keegan, Sr. Anne Keegan, SHC, Helen Keegan. Her beloved sister Midge Keegan Gibbons, with whom she often traveled, resides in New York. Their most memorable trip was a return to Ireland where their parents were born. She served in the United States Army in Europe during WWII as a communications operator, where she met and married her late husband Earle Thomas. Moving to Hamden from New York City in 1960, Beth used her switchboard skills, learned in the service, at her jobs at Sears, Partyka Chevrolet and Hamden City Hall. Many would recognize Beth Thomas' voice from her 16 years as the switchboard operator for the town hall. Beth is proud to have served six mayors in this position, learning three phone systems, greeting all who walked into the town hall with ready answers and information. Beth retired from the town hall in 1988. Coming to Hamden, Beth and her husband were very active in St. Rita Parish, where her husband served as a deacon for 15 years. As a Minister of the Eucharist at the parish, Mrs. Thomas spent her Sunday mornings visiting those homebound, to bring them Holy Communion and share with them the mass readings of the week. Beth and her husband were also longtime members of the St. Rita Parish choir, often entertaining with the choir at many Hamden health facilities. Moving to Davenport Residence in 1984, the Thomas' contributed much to the many activities that they shared with good friends there over the years. Beth will be missed by her dear friends at Davenport who have been so good to her during this time of illness. Beth Thomas lived a life of love and deep faith. She was an example to all of graciousness and kindness. Her family is grateful to those who supported Beth during her illness, especially her daughter's religious community, the Apostles of the Sacred Heart, who surrounded her with so much special care and love during the last weeks of her life, and the nurses and aides from Connecticut Hospice and Sacred Heart Manor. Funeral from BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden Monday, March 20 at 9:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Ave., Hamden at 10 AM. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday, from 3-7 PM. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery. In her memory donations may be made to the Apostles of the Sacred Heart Development Fund, 295 Benham St., Hamden, CT 06514 or St. Rita School, 1601 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT 06517.