JoAnne K. Thomas passed away peacefully on November 17, 2023.

She was born on June 2, 1938, in Dallas, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Otho “Mike” Thomas. Throughout their 62 years of marriage, JoAnne and Mike lived in dozens of places, including Dover, Delaware; Honolulu, Hawaii; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Antonio, Texas; Thurmont, Maryland, where they raised their children; and the Greater Lafayette, Indiana, area, where they moved to be with their children and grandchildren.

Wherever JoAnne went, she created the most loving and welcoming homes for her family. She somehow managed to spend one-on-one time with every relative. To have a conversation with JoAnne was to be understood and cherished at the deepest level, and to be regarded as an equal. She was relentlessly selfless. Through the years, she never missed the important events in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives: new babies, moves, plays, band concerts, soccer games, swim meets, graduations and countless birthdays and holidays.

JoAnne’s kindness was matched only by her talent and energy. JoAnne was a gifted artist, and her family is grateful for the dozens–if not hundreds–of her paintings in their homes. She taught her granddaughters the most important lessons for a full and interesting life, including the value of Saturday morning estate sales, the simple joys of homegrown food, and a “we can make that ourselves” attitude about literally anything. She loved nature and being outdoors. As a longtime proponent of environmentalism and recycling, JoAnne creatively repurposed everyday items to make sure nothing went to waste.

JoAnne was the person her family members wished to emulate. She was the wisest person in the room, but never judgmental. She used her many talents for good, through her personal relationships and her extensive volunteer work for, among others, Hershey Elementary School, the Harrison High School Band program, and the Westminster library and flea market. Her family was fortunate to have so many sunny afternoons and holidays with her.

She is survived by her two children, Mark Thomas of West Lafayette and Kimberly (Barry) Loftus of Lafayette; her three grandchildren, Julie, Caroline, and Kathleen Loftus, all of Chicago; her sister, Jeanette “Jan” Addler of Alamo, Texas; and many friends, near and far, who will mourn the loss of a compassionate, intelligent, thoughtful, and quick-witted woman.

The family will hold a private remembrance ceremony at a future date.

Those wishing to honor JoAnne’s life are encouraged to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/indiana/donate or by mail at 2200 Cabot Drive, Suite 460, Lisle, IL 60532.