Lucille W Thoma

Lucille W. Thoma passed away unexpectedly on December 22, 2017, in the arms of her husband. She was born on April 26, 1938, in Old Mystic, in a house by Whitford Brook. She later moved with her parents to a small farm on Wolf Neck Road, and in 1947, to a larger farm in Preston. She attended Old Mystic and Preston primary schools, then Norwich Free Academy. She graduated from NFA in 1956, with perfect attendance.

Her parents were dairy farmers, and growing up, she applied her intelligence, energy and common sense in support of her family and their farm. She also explored other professional opportunities in air travel and banking. Having a natural talent and interest in finance and banking, and feeling, like her father, compelled to serve her town, she was elected Treasurer of the Town of Preston in 1973, and served until retiring in 2001.

She is probably best known throughout southeastern Connecticut as the founder and proprietor of Cakes by Lucille. From the early 1960’s to the present, she created wedding and celebratory cakes, applying her creative, emotional and physical energies to create uniquely artistic and delicious cakes. With support from her husband Ed, who managed the engineering, logistics and transportation, they added to the joy of countless celebrations.

Her parents were Philetus H. Watson and Eleanor Wheeler (Whitford) Watson. She leaves her loving husband and partner of 54 years, Reinald E. Thoma, her daughter Christine H. Kendall, and husband John, and her granddaughters Cassidy Lucille and Zoe Elizabeth Kendall. However demanding or busy her days were, the time she spent with Cassidy and Zoe gave her the greatest joy. She is also survived by her sister Colleen W. Brooks, niece Terra Lee Dillard and husband John Powell, and great-niece Blakely Dillard. Her ancestors having settled in the Mystic and Stonington area before the Revolution, she leaves many other survivors.

Family and friends may visit Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem Street, Norwich on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A funeral home service will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Please visit www.churchandallen.com to leave an online condolence for the Thoma family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Lucille’s honor to the Avalonia Land Conservancy, PO Box 49, Old Mystic, CT 06372.