Obituary of Mary A. (nee Rolls) Thomas

THOMAS, Mary A. Nee Rolls Of Depew, October 20, 2020; Mary was one of six siblings and grew up on Niagara St. in the Riverside neighborhood of Buffalo. She attended Riverside High School and was a former employee at Niagara Machine & Tool, Will Scientific, and Eastern Airlines. She rounded out her working career with Depew Public Schools where she was beloved and frequently approached in public by students who fondly remember her for her time working in the cafeteria and as a hall monitor. Mary was very active in her church parish including a period as President of the Ladies Sodality. She was famous for organizing wildly successful fundraising efforts and donating the most amazing baskets to any and every event she could find. Mary was also an avid lover of gardening, animals, bingo, bowling, cooking, and just generally making sure everyone was happy and had everything they needed. She loved to volunteer and shower people with love and generosity. She would donate to any cause and was a favorite of kids who came to collect for the newspaper or students who went door to door to sell cookies or candy - they always hit the jackpot when Mary answered the door! The same went for Halloween, where her house was the one known for giving out full-size candy bars in addition to an assortment of other goodies. When it came time to eat, no one put out a spread like Mary! Even if only a few people were coming over, she would have enough appetizers to feed an army. Folks were often full before the main course and then left trying to make room for the half dozen desserts she would inevitably end the night with. And no one was allowed to leave without a take-home bag of leftovers! Mary was a world traveler, first as a Flight Attendant with Eastern Airlines, and later on vacations to Hawaii, Australia, Mexico, California, Vancouver, and pretty much every island in the Caribbean! She loved to meet new people and immerse herself in other cultures. To know Mary was to love her. She will leave a wonderful legacy in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew her. Please hold tight to your happiest memories of her and share that smile with the world every day, just like Mary always did. Mary is the Beloved wife of George W. Thomas; Devoted mother of Michelle (David) Berkhoudt, Danielle (Mike Dirr) Thomas and Michael Thomas.; Loving grandmother of Jordan and Abby; Dear sister of John (Linda) Rolls, Robert (Marge) Rolls, Anne (late Jim) Mahoney, Thomas (Darlene) Rolls and late James (Michael Cyhaniuk) Rolls; Also survived by nieces and nephews. Visitation in the Cichon-Borgosz Funeral Home, Inc., 4929 Broadway, Depew, Friday 2-7 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mother Teresa Parish at St. James Church, 496 Terrace Blvd., Depew, Saturday at 11 AM. Please assemble at Church. Please understand that face coverings must be worn and six foot distancing in the Church and Funeral Home, maximum capacity of 33% restrictions in the Funeral Home will strictly be observed and may cause entry delays. Thank you for understanding.