CAPE ELIZABETH – Louise Kathryn Thomas passed away peacefully on September 3, 2023 at her home surrounded by family. She was 71. A lifelong Mainer and a pilar of the Portland legal community for over 40 years, Louise will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and former colleagues.
Louise was born in Portland on January 5, 1952 to Dr. Joseph and Alma Thomas. She and her six siblings were raised in Westbrook, where their father worked as a research director at the S.D. Warren paper mill. Louise was by all accounts an intelligent, precocious, and kind-hearted child with a strong sense of justice and a fiercely independent spirit—all traits that would follow her into adulthood. She cherished her family’s frequent trips to Little Sebago Lake, where she went on many adventures with her siblings and beloved dog Belle and would develop a lifelong love for the outdoors. She graduated from Westbrook High School in 1970 and went on to attend Cornell University, majoring in American Studies. After graduating from Cornell in 1974, Louise returned home to attend the University of Maine School of Law.
Louise graduated from Maine Law in 1977 and took a job at Pierce Atwood in Portland, where she would remain for the next four decades. At that time, only a small fraction of Maine lawyers were women, and although Pierce Atwood was (and still is) one of state’s oldest and largest law firms, Louise was just one of three female attorneys employed there. This forced her to confront and overcome many barriers as she forged a career as a litigator and became the firm’s second- ever female partner. At Pierce Atwood, Louise grew into a nationally-recognized expert in energy and insurance litigation, representing a diverse range of clients that included major Maine businesses, multi-national corporations, and even the State of California. She used her platform to become a leading voice for Maine women in the legal profession. Whether it was pushing for improved maternity benefits, organizing a day care program, mentoring junior attorneys, hosting countless baby showers and luncheons, or bravely speaking her mind when others were unwilling to listen, Louise was never afraid to advocate for what she believed in and for those who followed in her footsteps.
Louise’s impact was felt far beyond the walls of Pierce Atwood. In addition to her extensive pro bono work in the local community, Louise served on several advisory committees for the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and was an active member of both the Maine Bar Association and the Maine Trial Lawyers Association. Notably, she participated in the task force that revamped Maine’s code of professional responsibility between 2006-2009 and was also a driving force behind the foundation of the Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers & Judges, which supports legal practitioners struggling with substance abuse. Louise also devoted considerable time to promoting legal education, teaching students at Maine Law and presenting nearly 100 continuing education courses in Maine and across the country. These many contributions did not go unnoticed. In 2011, she received the MBA’s prestigious Caroline Duby Glassman Award for her efforts to advance the participation and promotion of women in law. And in 2014, Louise was the
first ever female recipient of the MTLA’s League of Legends Award for her ongoing contributions to civil justice and the Maine legal community.
Despite her many career accomplishments, Louise was most fond of the time she spent doing the things she loved with her friends and family. This was especially true of the three men in her life —husband Paul, and sons Eric and Chris. Louise’s many passions and hobbies included reading new books, attending symphony and ballet performances, hiking in Baxter State Park, camping at Millinocket Lake, birdwatching in Maine and elsewhere, exploring Casco Bay by boat, watching documentaries, attending adult education seminars, and traveling to new places around the world. A true explorer at heart, Louise was always looking for opportunities to expand her horizons, seek out new experiences, and learn new things. She also made time to give back to her community in important and impactful ways. This included her long-time patronage of local organizations focused on nature conservation, performing arts, women’s issues, early childhood education, and substance abuse treatment. Louise helped out in less public ways, too, whether it was giving counsel to local women in difficult situations, providing a stranger a shoulder to cry on in a support group, reading with local school children, or helping a neighbor with a heating bill when times were tough.
In May 2019, just months after retiring from the law, Louise was diagnosed with an advanced form of leukemia. She decided to fight. Relying on the same courage, determination, and toughness that made her such a formidable attorney, Louise defied the odds and survived another four years. Her battle was rarely easy or straightforward, but Louise treasured the extra time she gained with her friends and family and did all she could to make the most of it. Louise’s journey ended as she would have wanted—on a beautiful autumn day at her home in Cape Elizabeth with her family and friends by her side.
Louise is survived by her husband, Paul Beesley, her mother, Alma Thomas, her son Eric Romeo and his wife Ashley Flynn, her son Christopher Romeo and his wife Sasha Boheme, her brother James Thomas and his wife Katherine Prentice, her sister Anne Marie Thomas, her sister Dolores Torok and her husband Ernest Torok, her sister Mary Patricia Thomas, and her many nephews and nieces.
A celebration in honor of Louise’s life will be held on October 20, 2023 from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Mother House Chapel of the Stevens Square Community Center (formerly Catherine McAuley High School), 631 Stevens Avenue Portland, ME.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, please provide new children’s books to be donated locally in Louise’s name. Books can be brought to the celebration of life or sent to:
Quiet Reading Time
PMB 137
50 Market Street. Suite 1A South Portland, ME 04106-3647
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com