Dorothy Elaine (Huston) Thomas

North Canton, OH – Dorothy Elaine (Huston) Thomas, 87 years old, passed away peacefully at home with her loving family on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. Dorothy was born on May 26th,1937 in Houlton, Maine, the daughter of George A. and Shirley (Bragdon) Huston. She and her husband, George, were married for 62 years.

Dorothy was a loving wife, mother and grandmother (Oma) to her family, and good friend to countless people wherever she lived. Although her final years were affected by the pandemic lock-down and advancing Alzheimer’s, she maintained a cheerful and gregarious disposition in the early phases of the disease, and enjoyed outings to local restaurants, museums, high school football games and musical performances put on by her grandchildren in Ohio.

Dorothy grew up in Bangor, Maine, where she graduated from Bangor High School, and earned an A.S. degree at Husson Business College, before relocating to Washington, D.C. to work for the CIA during the peak of the Cold War. There, she met the love of her life, George Thomas, who was stationed there in the Navy. After first dating and then maintaining a long-distance relationship while she worked overseas in Frankfurt, Germany, Dorothy returned to Washington, married George, and they relocated to New York to raise their family with son, Drew and daughter, Mara.

During the course of their marriage, George’s work took the family to Rochester, NY; Paris, France; Old Greenwich, CT; Mexico City, Mexico; and back to Rochester. Dorothy loved moving and the prospect of making new friends and having a new adventure around every corner.

Dorothy was a fantastic cook, having learned various cuisines during her time overseas, and she and George loved to host elaborate, gourmet meals for friends and family. She enjoyed singing and participated in a number of choirs and singing groups in Rochester, Paris and Old Greenwich, CT. She was a homemaker and the center of her family, keeping busy with various part-time jobs, she also enjoyed arts and crafts, being active in an investment club, playing piano, and traveling with her family. She was very outgoing and social and made new friends wherever she lived.

George and Dorothy retired to Sarasota, FL, where they built a new life, making great friends and volunteering at various organizations. Dorothy was a Docent for the Ca’ d’Zan (John Ringling’s winter home, now a museum), drove people in need to appointments, and volunteered at a homeless shelter and at a food bank. She and George traveled extensively including Elderhostel programs, cruised Europe, visited Australia, New Zealand, Wales, Costa Rica and went on an African Safari.

Dorothy is pre-deceased by her parents, George A. and Shirley (Bragdon) Huston; her brother William A. Huston; her step-mothers June Huston and Geraldine (Reynolds Bender) Huston; and her husband, George A. Thomas. She is survived by her daughter Mara and husband Charles Gillogly of North Canton, OH; son Drew and wife Lisa Harp of San Mateo, CA; and grandchildren William Thomas, Kennedy Gillogly, and Shane Gillogly.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held sometime in 2025 with extended family. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.