Emelda Theodora Thomas

Emelda passed peacefully on May 12, 2023 at North York General Hospital. She was the wife of Dr. Ferdinand Alexander Thomas (deceased) and is survived by her children Sandra, Beverley (Kofi), and grandchildren, Cameron, Alex and Nicholas. She is also survived by her sister Eileen Abraham Jack of Trinidad and Tobago, and several cousins, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Emelda has gone to rest with her husband, the love of her life, Dr. Ferdinand Alexander Thomas, as well as her parents Frederick Sealy and Vashti Greig, sisters Frances Brooks and Mariette Greig, and brother Neville Greig.

Emelda will be remembered as a mother who was totally devoted to her family. She was a retired teacher and principal of elementary school students, who taught for over 20 years in Trinidad and Tobago, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. To her children and grandchildren, Emelda was a champion, teacher, cheer leader, supporter, motivator, advocate and defender. She taught her children and grandchildren the basics of reading and math before they formally attended school and continued to teach them when she deemed necessary. Emelda had a variety of interests. She was a skilled interior decorator, cook and gardener who could also knit, crochet and sewed many outfits for herself and her daughters. Her meals and her cakes (especially her lemon bread, apple pie, fruit and carrot cakes) were legendary. She travelled extensively, to various countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, South America and other American states, China, and South Africa. Emelda loved music and dancing and was a talented artist whose oil paintings adorn many homes. She was curious, enjoyed all things about nature and would exclaim when the cardinal and the blue jays came to visit in the back yard.

The family would like to express our thanks to the staff at North York General Hospital, St. Elizabeth Health Care and Seniors Homecare by Angels for their compassionate care.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 26 at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home 8088 Yonge Street, Thornhill, Ont. from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, May 27 at 11 am at St. George on Yonge 5350 Yonge Street, North York, Ont.

For online condolences and livestream details please visit the Kane-Jerrett Thornhill website at www.kanejerrett-thornhill.ca.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation in Emelda’s memory to The Dr. Ferdinand and Mrs. Emelda Thomas Award at York University. To make a gift online towards the Award, you can do so by clicking here. The award has been preselected on the donation form, so you may simply specify your gift amount, and complete your contact and billing details. The secure online donation page url is: https://giving.yorku.ca/EmeldaThomas. To make a memorial donation by phone, please call York University’s main Advancement office at 416-650-8210.