Sara E. Thomas

SARAH E. THOMASOf DeKalb, formerly of Aurora, IL, passed from this life into eternal life on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Bethany Health Care and Rehab Center in DeKalb.BORN / EARLY YEARS She was born March 26, 1937, in Jackson County, MO, the daughter of Baldwin and Ruth Elizabeth(Scroggs) Sears. Sara was adopted in infancy and except for two years living in Elburn, she spent most of her childhood in Aurora.EDUCATIONSara graduated from West Aurora High School where she excelled in music. She learned to play eight instruments including bass, tenor and alto saxophone, clarinet, drums and more. In later years she would teach herself to play the organ as well. She graduated with the Class of 1955MARRIAGE & FAMILYFollowing graduation she attended Wheaton College for a time where she majored in physical education. School would have to wait as Sara met and fell in love with a man named Everett Thomas. On February 14th, Valentine’s Day she was united in marriage to Everett R. Thomas.They made their home on the Meredith Farm south of Elburn for two years as Everett worked for Les Meredith. In the early 1960’s they moved to Aurora where they made their home on the West side of town where Sara raised her family and began working part time as a nurse’s aid at Copley Hospital, Aurora. Sara returned to school to earn her certificate as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Chicago and specialized in long term care nursing. at a Chicago school. She specialized in long term care nursing. (see note below on MS) Sara’s early thirties brought with it’s challenges as she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Despite her diagnosis, Sara worked at Elmwood Care Center, Aurora and several others around the Aurora and Westmont area. She battled the disease into the nineteen seventies when poor health forced her to stop working. Even after her retirement, Sara battled back each time it reared it’s ugly head coming back from being bed-ridden several times and even getting her drivers license backFollowing Everett’s death in 2000 she continued to make her own home at Constitution House, Aurora. There she was on the resident’s council and was active in arts and crafts until 2004 when she became a resident at Bethany Healthcare following a broken hip. LIFE NOTES Sara’s pride and joy were her family and none were more precious than her grandchildren whom she helped raise. She was always there when you needed help, especially if you needed help be spoiled. MEMBERSHIPSA member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Aurora, L FAMILY MEMBERSShe is survived by three children: Shari (Steve) Dixon of Shabbona, ILJeff (Gina) Thomas of Estero, FLJoseph M. (Karen Adams) Thomas of Elburn, IL,Ten grandchildren:Lauren Dixon,Jimmy Dixon, Bridget (Tristan) Schmit, Michelle (Joeseph) Brandonisio Rudy ThomasJackson Thomas,Sophia Thomas Shanna Adams, Krystal Thomas Haley OlsenFour great grandchildren: two more on the wayTrenton Schmit,Megan Schmit,Miabella BrandonisioVito "Luke" Brandonisio Siblings:One brother, Charles (Laurie) Sears of Aurora, ILTwo nephews:Christopher and Jonathan Sears and a family of friends.PRECEDED She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Everett.VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be held on Friday May 1, 2009 from 4-6:45Pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, Il. with a Service to celebrate her live to be held at 7:00PM. The Rev. Deborah Percell will officiate. Private interment services will follow at a later date.MEMORIAL A memorial will be established in Saras’s name to benefit her favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Sara E. Thomas Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be on Friday May 1, 2009 from 4-6:45PM at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, Il. with a service to celebrate her live to be held at 7:00PM.

Private family interment will be held at a later date.