Ronda Carol Thomas

Latham~ With great sadness in our hearts, we have to announce to friends and family the passing of Ronda Thomas. Sister and mother, care taker of many, Ronda died the morning of January 5th, just four days after her 71st birthday. Born and raised in New York, but lived much of her life in California, married at 24, had two wonderful children, now wonderful adults.

Ronda spent her life in the service of others, assisting care for countless teenagers detoxing from drugs, homeless trying to reintegrate back into society, elderly needing medical, dental or mental care and a portion of the Navaho Nation for many assorted needs. She spent most of her career working for the Red Cross and then for the Beach Cities Health District in Southern California but additionally spent a great deal of time volunteering for many other causes. She always placed the aide of others as her mission.

She was a very talented crafts person as well, spending much of her spare time passionately pursuing traditional basket weaving, beading, knitting and crochet, paper making and other artistic crafts. It was her joy to give much of what she made to others for their enjoyment. She truly was a blessing to others.

Ronda is survived by her daughter and son, Lynn Anne Thomas and Stephen Thomas, and her sister Barbara Switzenberg. She will be dearly missed.