Marion E. 'Jean' Thomas, 74

CANTERBURY - Marion E. "Jean" Thomas, of Canterbury, died Wednesday, March 26, 2008. She was 74.

Mrs. Thomas was born in Pace, Miss., daughter of the late Marion and Ethel James.

She went back to college at the age of 50 to get her degree to become a registered nurse, a longtime dream of hers, after raising her family.

After she graduated from the Delaware Tech School of Nursing, she worked for Christiana Hospital and also for the VNA.

Mrs. Thomas, in her spare time, enjoyed playing the piano, organ and accordion.

She enjoyed reading and always had a book close at hand.

She also enjoyed gardening. Bill would always help with the garden, and she lovingly nicknamed him "Step and Fetch It," because she was quick to point out what needed to be done in the garden and for him to do it.

Mrs. Thomas will be remembered as a loving and kind person who lived to help others. She was always smiling and always there when needed.

She will be fondly remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother who meant the world to her husband Bill.

She loved her grandchildren tremendously, and often quipped that she never "spoiled" them, just loved them a lot.

Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Shanty Shakers, a RV club that travelled together to various camping locations. She was also a member of the Keenagers group of the Calvary Assembly of God, the church she attended. She also attended the Milford Church of the Nazarene.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, William James and Charles James.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, William E. "Bill" Thomas of Canterbury; her sons, William E. "Bill" Thomas Jr. of Harrington and J. Kevin Thomas of Canterbury; her daughters, Deborah A. Biggie of Frederica, Cassandra F. Williamson of Seaford and Sheila K. Neath of Kenton; a sister, Birdie Tidmore of Bruce, Miss.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be 1 p.m. Monday at Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington, where friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Burial will be private.