Esta Berg Thomas

Esta Thomas died on December 21 at the age of 98. Born prematurely in 1923 in Brooklyn, NY, she survived through the efforts of her parents and Martin A. Couney, who pioneered use of incubators on Coney Island in NY. She grew up in Brooklyn with her parents, older brother and extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. With a penchant for academics, she graduated from Brooklyn College and earned a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in clinical and behavioral psychology. During her graduate studies, she developed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, an instrument still used today to measure cognitive flexibility. She married the late Dr. William E. Thomas, eventually settled in Raleigh, raised a loving family, taught psychology at Shaw University, and worked to develop community-based mental health programs in Wake County. She loved classical music and painting watercolors. She was a mentor and an inspiration not only to her children and grandchildren, but also to countless people who sought her good counsel. She was deeply loved by her three children, Jason, David, and Sara, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the gentle and compassionate care of the nurses and aides of The Cedars of Chapel Hill. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center or the Cedars Employee Appreciation fund.

A graveside service for Esta will be held Thursday, December 23, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Markham Memorial Gardens, 4826 Trenton Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com for the Thomas family.