Nancy Eloise Collins Thomas

Nancy Eloise Collins Thomas passed away on Nov. 28 at Avalon Care Center in Spokane, following a long battle to recover from a broken hip. Miss Ellie, as she was known, was a devoted wife to her husband and mother of three daughters and a son.

Miss Ellie was born an only child in 1926 in Cuthbert, Ga. In 1950 she married Robert Thomas, and the couple settled into the traveling cycle of army life. Together they were homestead pioneers in Eagle River, Alaska, where the family lived until 1973. Miss Ellie was instrumental in establishing the PTA and Operation Chugiak High School in nearby Chugiak.

Miss Ellie showed her love for her family through her involvement in a host of activities, including scouting, school sports, her church, and many others. Beyond her family, she was well-known as a lovely hostess, with a gracious ability to make strangers feel like family. She will be remembered for her wonderful cooking, her love of gardening and her unstinting sense of humor.

When Miss Ellie arrived in heaven, she was met by her beloved husband Robert of 54 years and her daughter Beverly Joan. There she will await her daughters Nancee Thomas of Moses Lake, Pat Thomas of Naches and Debra Thomas of Yelm, and her son Bob Thomas, Jr. of Tonasket. Meanwhile, she will leave a hole in the lives of the many, many people she touched in her 80 years on earth. As a longtime military wife, Miss Ellie often said that there are no "Good byes," only "See ya around," because you never know whom you may see at the next post. We look forward to seeing Miss Ellie again in her last one.

Services will be held at Avalon Care Center in Spokane on Friday, Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the charity of your choice.