Karen W. Thomas
In Homestead, FL, March 1, 2004 Karen W. Thomas of 131 Daniel Ave., Guilford, formerly of Todd St., Hamden. Wife of Gary Thomas. Devoted mother of Brian Withycombe and his wife Wendy of Kensington, CT, Debra Garvey and her husband Justin of Hamden, Stepmother of Tracey Thomas and her husband Marvin Bellis of Hamden and Hale Thomas of Tucson, AZ. Also survived by 7 loving grandchildren: Tyler and Austin Withycombe, James and Marika Garvey, Morgan, Jack and Ronan Thomas-Bellis, a niece Holly Brown and a sister in law Helen Brown. Born October 11, 1940 in New Haven, she was the daughter of the late Clifton and Dorothy Barnes Brown of Guilford. Karen was a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, receiving a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and taught kindergarten in Hamden. A former member of the Mt. Carmel Congregational Church, Karen was a member of the Senior Choir, serving on the music, flower and hospitality committees. She had been a chairman of the annual church fair. She was also a member of the Hamden Festival Chorus. Since moving to Guilford, Karen has been a member of the North Guilford Congregational Church where she sang in the Senior Choir and served on the music committee. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service in the North Guilford Congregational Church on Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 11 A.M. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Parkinson Disease Association, 27 Allendale Dr. North Haven, CT. 06473 or to the North Guilford Congregational Church, 159 Ledge Hill Rd., Guilford, CT. 06437.
I am truly sad that my Aunt Karen is no longer with us, but I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with her. I have so many wonderful memories that it\’s hard to choose. Growing up, we spent many Christmases together in Hamden. She was a wonderful cook and host. She and Mimi (my grandmother and her mother) spent countless hours painstakingly wrapping each of the goodies in our stockings. She made a mean shrimp cocktail too and always laughed when I looked around for the .shrimpies!. Years later, when I was in college in nearby Northampton, Massachusetts she came to visit and I spent vacations at her house. We enjoyed going out for dinner, antique shopping and walking in the woods or by the shore. My love of singing and teaching are just two of the many things I do that will make me think of her fondly. Your voice will be deeply missed and always remembered. I love you.