Obituary of Amelia A. Thomas

Amelia Agatha “Molly” Thomas Of Arlington, VA on November 11, 2011. Beloved mother of Judith of Florida, Mary Lynne of Georgia, and Russell Joseph of Virginia. Molly Thomas, nee Jerich, was born in the mining town of McKinley, Minnesota to Slovenian immigrant parents on June 17, 1921. As a young girl the family moved to Ely, Minnesota. During her teenage years she sang on the radio with her sisters in various towns on the Iron Range, danced the polka, and made taffy on Sundays while her parents were visiting other relatives. Molly received a full scholarship to Drake University, but the year was 1939 and no one could advise her. Instead she attended Ely Junior College in what we now know as administration. She took courses in bookkeeping, stenography, and typing. She was awarded pins for her speed in typing and stenography. Molly could take dictation at 140 words per minute and type at 110 words per minute on a manual typewriter. In 1941 Molly left Ely, by train, to become a “Washington War Woman.” She was hired by Department of War as a GS-2 File Clerk. She worked for the Departments of the Navy and the Army. In May 1943, she earned a Civilian Meritorious Service Award for her administrative efforts and was promoted to a GS-4. She continued to work for the Department of the Navy until her retirement in 1972 as GS-12 Procurement Specialist. In July 1948 Molly married Russell Tyler Thomas, who predeceased her in 2002. She is also predeceased by her brother Joseph and her sisters Margaret, Mary, Frances, and Agnes. In addition to her children, Molly is survived by her brother Francis Jerich and his wife Patricia of California, as well as many friends who cherish her memory. Molly was fluent in Slovenian and enjoyed singing in the Slovenian Choral Group, the McLean Choral Society, and the Fort Myer Chapel Choir. She was a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union Branch 103, and a founding member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 67. Molly was a pioneer in raising awareness and obtaining services for the developmentally disabled. She sold many loaves of Claxton fruitcake to raise money for her son’s Co-op school which was in the basement of Arlington Forest Methodist Church. Molly also enjoyed cooking such Slovenian specialties as chicken paprikash, szegediner goulash, and the traditional Christmas bread – potica. To help her have fun with her housework, she played lively Slovenian polkas. Her friend Marie Robinson said that Molly was a childhood friend she could reminisce with about growing up in Ely, their trips there, the people they knew, their similar backgrounds of Slovenian immigrant parents, and growing up in a depression era when we all had so little; and their move to the big city of Washington, DC. Molly helped Marie find room and board at a place on M Street Northwest. Molly fed the homeless as a volunteer for many years with the “So Others May Eat” program and also delivered Meals on Wheels well into her eighties. She was cited by the Fort Myer’s Army Community Services activity for her extensive volunteer efforts. Friends may post remembrances below. Molly was cremated, her ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 6 at 2:45pm, Fort Myer, Old Post Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to VOR, The Association for Retarded Citizens, or Special Olympics.