Josephine (Abraham) Thomas, 75, of New Bedford, died on April 30, 2009 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital after a long battle with diabetes. She was the wife of the late Anthony G. "Tommy" Thomas.
Born in New Bedford, Josie lived in the city all her life. She had a long and successful career in retail with organizations such as Atlantic Department Stores, culminating in her position as a Cash Office Training Manager with Mars Department Stores, a position which saw her travel throughout New England opening a dozen new retail locations. She also served as the secretary to the New Bedford Zoning Board of Appeals.
She was very involved in church and community activities and fundraisers. Josie served as the president of the St. Joseph Sodality of Our Lady of Purgatory Church. A devout mother, she also played active roles, serving as the president of the St. Mary’s School Parents’ Club and the Bishop Stang Parents Club. In 1985 she and her husband co-chaired the very successful “Manhattan Night”, at the time, the flagship fundraiser for Bishop Stang High School.
Her many nieces, nephews, and younger cousins have fond memories of summer nights at the Thomas place in West Wind Shores. She is also fondly remembered by the many friends she made throughout her life. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad with her family.
Her house parties were legendary throughout Lebanese Communities from Massachusetts to Florida to Michigan for the food, music, and overall merrymaking. Under Josie’s watchful eye, the food and drink were fit for royalty, as she believed all her guests should be treated as such.
In later years, she enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her five grandchildren, with the possible exception of buying fun stuff on QVC. She was a non-conformer, but could also revel in the traditions of her Lebanese heritage. Josie spent hours teaching her children and grandchildren the songs, prayers, rites and traditions of her childhood and her Catholic faith. She was a member of Our Lady of Purgatory Maronite Catholic Church in New Bedford.
She is survived by her three children, Matthew J. Thomas, Esq. and his wife Catherine, Jessica T. Hakeem and her husband William, and Andrew J. Thomas and his partner Randall Hammond; and five grandchildren, Victoria, Samuel, David, Stephanie, and Samantha. She was the daughter of the late Isaac and Kaffa (Courry) Abraham of New Bedford.
The Celebration of the Liturgy will be held on Monday at 10 AM at Our Lady of Purgatory Church, Pleasant St., New Bedford. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 3-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Joslin Diabetes Center, Development Office Suite 745, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.