Margaret (Abraham) Thomas, 85, of New Bedford, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Friday May 24, 2013. She was the beloved wife of Anthony H. Thomas; they had been married for 58 years.
Born in Central Falls, Rhode Island, she was the daughter of the late John and Rose (Melke) Abraham.
Margaret and her husband Anthony owned and operated Thomas' Market in New Bedford for over 30 years. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Purgatory Church. She loved working for the Church in her early years in New Bedford and in 1995 was awarded the Maronite Church Massabki Medal for her work of behalf of the parish.
She was Past President of the Ladies Society of St. Ephraim's Syriac Orthodox Church in Central Falls, Past President and former Treasurer of the American-Lebanese Veterans Auxiliary of New Bedford, Past President of the Noury, Nassany, Stephen World War II Veterans Auxiliary of Rhode Island, and Past President of St. Joseph's Sodality of Our Lady of Purgatory Church.
Margaret was also a member of the "Grapevines" for 46 years, enjoying her social group of card playing friends. She loved traveling with her husband, cooking Arabic food, writing, and was a skilled knitter and crocheter right up until she became ill.
Margaret enjoyed life to the fullest and, most of all, she loved being with her family. She will be remembered for her love for everyone.
In addition to her loving husband, she leaves three daughters, Rosemarie Twomey and her husband Frederick of Dartmouth, and Patricia Ann Thomas and her partner Rebecca Schade and Joan Thomas-Mello and her husband Michael, all of New Bedford; five grandchildren, Joseph Twomey and his wife Mary of Westport, David Twomey of Boston, Jacob Twomey of Dartmouth, and Loredana and Michael Mello, both of New Bedford; two great-granddaughters, Grace and Margaret Twomey of Westport.; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was the sister of the late Aziz, David, Sam, Joseph and Mary Abraham, Annie Anter, Julia Hitchen, Nora Hudson and Sadie Danho.
Her Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 AM at Our Lady of Purgatory Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 3-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In her memory, donations may be made to Our Lady of Purgatory Parish, 11 Franklin St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.