VERONICA ANN THOMAS

April 4, 1935 – September 27, 2002

Vonnie was born in Butte, Montana being the second of six children of Provy and Margaret Thomas. The family lived on Locust Street and she attended Greeley Grade School and Butte High graduating in 1954. During high school she worked at the Pay and Save grocery store on Harrison Avenue. After graduation she worked for the Continental Oil Company. In 1956 she took a job with New York Life where she was employed for 37 years. She then worked part time for her cousin Cindy Atcheson at Consumer Budget Counseling retiring in 1998. She made many friends during these working years.

Vonnie enjoyed her time with friends and family. Summer weekends were spent at Georgetown Lake with her parents, brothers, and friends boating, fishing, and water skiing. She traveled all around the country and Europe with her nieces and her brother Ed and his wife Maggie.

In 1984 at the wedding of her niece Diane and Skip she met Bill Arnston. They became best friends and had a great time together. Who would have thought that Vonnie would be riding on the back of a motorcycle or a jet ski. They traveled around Montana and even went to Sturges, South Dakota for the annual motorcycle event. He took her snowmobiling in the mountains by his cabin at Princeton, just north of Phillipsburg.

Later in life, she was blessed with the companionship and assistance of her nephews and nieces in Butte. During the last few years her cousin Sherry Thomas assisted Vonnie with grocery shopping, doctor appointments and everyday chores, but most importantly was her frequent companion. They attended mass by way of television and recited the rosary. Sherry was her "guardian angel".

Vonnie is survived by her brother Ed (Maggie) of Helena, sister-in-law Deanna Thomas of Butte, and sister-in-law Willie Thomas of Montrose, New York. She leaves behind 7 nephews, 7 nieces, and numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

Vonnie is preceded in death by her parents and brothers Dick, Dan, Jack, and Leonard, and nephew Ricky Thomas.

Friends may call Friday, September 7, at 9 a.m. with services to follow at 10 a.m. at Duggan Dolan Mortuary, 1805 Meadowlark Ln., Butte, Montana.