ROCKLAND – Virginia H. Thomas, 86, passed away peacefully Friday, July 6, 2007, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. Born July 8, 1920, in Rockland, she was the daughter of Ervin and Hazel (Haskell) Haskell. Virginia spent much of her youth with her paternal grandparents. Her grandmother taught her many skills that lasted a lifetime, such as knitting and sewing. Virginia was a 1938 graduate of Rockland High School, where she was an active athlete, class treasurer and member of the National Honor Society. She loved the outdoors and participated and received awards in many winter sports. Virginia married Clayton H. Thomas in 1947. The couple resided in Rockland until Virginia moved to Bangor in 2003. Throughout her life, Virginia worked in many local businesses as bookkeeper and office manager, including Maritime Fuels, Holmes Packing and Kalloch Fuel Service. She was predeceased by her husband in 1992; her sister, Mary; and brother-in-law, Julian. Virginia is survived by her much loved daughter, Mary Elizabeth Thomas and her husband, Calvin Luther, of Bucksport; four grandchildren, Melanie Paquette-McNerlin and her husband, Brian, of Portland, Ore., Craig Paquette of Washington, Elizabeth Sp-aulding of Old Town and Jason Spaulding and his wife, Heather, of Bradley; two very special nephews, John Williamson and his wife, Rosie El Tajo-Williamson, of Pittston and Mark Williamson and his wife, Mary Sturtevant-William-son, of Gardiner; sister-in-law, Avis Barnes of Montpelier, Vt.; a great-niece, great-nephew and great-grandchildren. Virginia’s daughter, Mary, would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers in the Residential Care Unit at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor, as well as the hospice staff from Community Health and Counseling Services for their caring support during this difficult transition. A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held 2 p.m. Wed-nesday, July 11, at Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock St., Rockland, with the Rev. Dr. D. Elizabeth Mauro officiating. Interment will be after at Achorn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine Veterans’ Home, Residential Care Activities Program, attention Shirley Shannon, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401 or Lady’s Guild of Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock St., Rockland, ME 04841. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland.
VIRGINIA H. THOMAS
