Joan Thomas 1933 – 2021 Russell Helmick
On Aug. 30, 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression Joan was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of Howell and Margaret (Pratt) Thomas. Joan and her family struggled, along with the rest of the country, just to gather the basics. These early experiences shaped Joan into a compassionate and fiercely independent women who loved literature, art, classical music and travel. Coming into her own in the 1950s, Joan was inspired by workers' rights and the Beat movement of Kerouac and Ginsberg. This theme would continue throughout her life as a champion for the working class and those less fortunate. Joan would execute a U-turn across multiple lanes of traffic to give a person in need a dollar. Joan would spend much of her young life in Mexico, living in many different areas. She was a student of Mexican pottery and textiles, work that would influence her painting style in later years. Joan lived and worked much of the later half of her life in San Fransisco, loving the open and artistic feel of the City by the Bay. She would work for many years and retire from the San Fransisco DOT. Joan met Annie Kay late in life, and they moved to New Mexico. The scenery, light and people of New Mexico influenced Joan's painting over the last 20 years, and her house was filled with canvases. Joan insisted on living life in her own way, and after Annie passed in 2015, Joan continued to live on her own with her beloved dogs Siler, and Asa in Edgewood. Recently Joan moved to the Beehive assisted living facility, where she continued to live life as she always had, by her own rules. Joan brought life, love and happiness to all that knew her with a generosity of spirit and sense of joy. Joan passed from this life April 12, and will be remembered by her friends and all fortunate
Russell “Cheeseburger” Helmick passed away Dec. 24, 2020 of a massive heart attack. There is going to be a memorial at the Moriarty Lions Club at 201 Broadway, from 2 to 5 p.m. on April 30. There will be a potluck. If you are able to come and bring something, please RSVP Allen at 719-717-7230 by April 28.