Sarah Ann Thomas

Sarah Ann Thomas, 83, was called home by her Lord, December 1, 2015, with her family by her side. Sally, who was dearly loved by family and friends, was predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years, Joe, in September, 2011.

Sally, the youngest of ten children, was born to the late James and Laura Cafaro on November 3, 1932, in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from St. Mary of the Mount High School in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Pittsburgh in 1951 and worked a series of jobs, her favorite beingsecretary for the Republican Committee of Allegheny County, (Pittsburgh) PA. She was courted by the handsome young Marine, PFC Thomas, and became his bride in June,1954. Sally and Joe were blessed with four children who became the center of Sally's life over the next quarter century. She was an amazing life partner to Joe, and mother to her children, volunteering her time to numerous civic, educational and Catholic religious organizations. Wherever her kids were engaged, Sally was there in support of that organization.

In 1972, Joe and Sally relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida and Sally returned to work in support of her family. She worked for more than a decade at The Breakers,Palm Beach, FL and then another decade at Finley Fine Jewelry at Lord & Taylor, West Palm Beach, FL. Customers, clients and co-workers routinely became new friends, drawn to Sally's warmth and personality. In 2000, Sally relocated to Blairsville, GA to turn a log cabin built by "her Joe", into a home. It was there,that she quietly passed after a long and spirited fight with her illness. Sally came to love Blairsville and North Georgia primarily because of the people she came to know and called friends.

Sally was pre-deceased by all nine of her siblings—she was the last of her generation. She is survived by her four children: Cindy Thomas and her husband Gary, of Alpharetta, GA; Joe Thomas, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; Laurie Wilson (Sally's dedicated daughter/caretaker) of Blairsville, GA and her husband Mike; and Lynn Gregory and her husband Scot of Laguna Beach, CA.

She is also survived by nine grandchildren all of whom were great sources of joy and pride to Sally including:Michael Thomas and his partner Kristina Gambino, Justin Wilson and his wife Lauren, Maeghan Wilson Rouch and her husband Dr. JoshuaRouch, Clay Thomas and his wife Lauren, Joseph Thomas III, Matthew Thomas, Alexander Thomas, Harrison Gregory and Thomas Gregory. Sally was also blessed in her final years with a great-grandson, Nico Ellington Thomas who continually brought smiles to her face.

Sally was also blessed with numerous nieces and nephews whom she enjoyed following on Facebook and freely offered love and encouragement to over the years.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Cochran Funeral Home, Blairsville, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family, at Sally's behest, request that donations be made to The Saint Vincent DePaul Society for the Poor c/oSt. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 3717 Hwy 515 East, Blairsville, GA 30512.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Sally at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Blairsville, GA on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.Following the Mass there will be a memorial luncheon for family and friends at the church's Parish Hall.

Sally will be most remembered for her love of family, her beautiful smile, her strong spirit and her uncanny ability to solicit people's life stories – she found people endlessly fascinating. May she rest in peace with the communion of saints that have preceded her.