Being the wife of a mover and shaker, both in the corporate world and community-service field, came easily for Judith Thomas. She grew up in a home with a busy, energetic, steel executive father.
Her husband, David Thomas — a retired banker, businessman and former president of the Beaver Falls Chamber of Commerce and Beaver County United Way — recalled his wife as being "a moral compass." He remembered her as an elegant and gracious woman and wife who combined raising their children with keeping up with his career.
Judith Stouffer Thomas, a resident of Mt. Washington and Hilton Head, S.C., died of cancer Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 in her home. She was 66.
Born in Cleveland and later raised in Moon Township, Judith Stouffer in 1954 graduated from Moon Area High School. In 1958, she received her undergraduate degree in economics from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, and joined the advertising department staff of U.S. Steel Corp., Downtown.
As a young woman growing up in Moon Township, she and her family were members of the Presbyterian Church, which she attended and where she later taught Sunday School. She also sang in the choir.
Her commitment to her Presbyterian faith continued after her marriage in 1961 to David Thomas, whom she met while they were both high school students at Moon.
In the 13 years that the Thomases spent in Flint, Mich. — where David Thomas served as vice chairman of the board of a banking group — she and her husband were members of First Presbyterian Church of Flint. Mrs. Thomas was an active volunteer at First Presbyterian, where she helped in the church office and held Bible study classes.
The Rev. Dr. William N. Jackson, interim minister at Shadyside Presbyterian Church and a former pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Flint, Mich., recalled his former parishioner as "a woman of genuine faith, who trusted the Lord, her Savior, Jesus Christ, and lived as a genuine witness of his love and hope."
Once David Thomas retired, the couple began to relax, travel and sail on their own sailboat.
"Judith and I visited areas in Africa, including Egypt, Israel, South America and several countries in Europe," her husband recalled. "She really enjoyed navigating our sailboat."
Mrs. Thomas is survived by her husband, David A. Thomas Jr.; a daughter, Nicole Mikoda of Akron, Ohio; a son, David A. Thomas III of Brighton Heights; and four grandchildren. She was the sister of Lesley S. Troy of Mt. Lebanon and Mary S. Lucas of Ben Avon.
A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Arnold Klukas, will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 8, 2002, at Grace Episcopal Church, 319 Sycamore St., Mt. Washington. A reception following the memorial will be held at the church. Arrangements by William Slater & Sons Inc., Mt. Washington.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 319 Sycamore St., Pittsburgh, PA 15211 or to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.
