Obituary of Dorothy Thomas

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dot Thomas at the DECH on Monday, September 21, 2015 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in South Oromocto Lake, Charlotte County, oldest daughter of Gordon McAleer and Bernice Cropley. She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Robert “Bob” Thomas. She was a wonderful mother to four children, Janet Thomas and her husband Ben Weale; Charles Thomas and his wife Vicki; Gordon Thomas and his partner Sheila Burt; Stewart Thomas and his wife Sherri (Butler); 12 grandchildren, Michael and Robbie Weale; Jillian Thomas and her husband Jon Cochrane; Nathan Thomas, Collin Thomas, Brian Thomas, Greg Thomas, Christopher Bielecki, Stefan Bielecki, Emily Brewer and her husband Kyle, Stacey Thomas and her husband Mike Ross, Kristin Thomas; two great-grandchildren, Lilah Cochrane and John Brewer. Also survived by siblings, Richard ‘Dick’ McAleer and his wife Norma; Leroy ‘Roy’ McAleer and his wife Lois; Mae Dryden and her husband John; Beverley Hendry; her aunt, Alma Dickinson; many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents and her brother, Curtis McAleer. Dot spent many of her growing-up years in Meductic where she graduated from Meductic High School in 1952. She subsequently attended Fredericton Business College which led to her employment at the Royal Bank in Woodstock where she met a younger man named Bob, who worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia. They were married on October 22, 1955 and settled first on the Thomas family farm in Tay Creek, New Brunswick. In 1956 they moved to Nashwaaksis where they raised their family. Dot was involved in her community throughout their life together. Dot served as Secretary-Treasurer of St. John’s Anglican Church; as a Girl Guide Leader; and was an active member of the Nashwaaksis Y’s Menettes, serving a term as President. She was also a member of the Elm Tree Square Dance Club and the Central New Brunswick Welsh Society. Dot and Bob travelled extensively, covering all 49 mainland states and all provinces and territories in Canada. They were avid campers, spending 26 retirement springs in Myrtle Beach with close friends and more recently, summers at the Kiwanis Oceanfront Campground in St. Andrews. Dot was renowned for her sewing, knitting and cooking skills, especially for her brown bread and chocolate chip cookies. She still holds the record for the biggest fish caught from Cranberry Lake with the Tomoowa fishing club. There will be no visitation. Friends and family are invited to join a church service to celebrate Dot’s life at 2 pm, Friday, September 25, 2015 at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 75 Main Street, Nashwaaksis, followed by a reception at the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dot’s memory can be made to the Stone Church Fund, St. John’s Anglican Church, 75 Main Street, Fredericton, NB. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com