Linda Faye (Vise) Thomas (1947 - 2007)

Born 18 Oct 1947 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA

Died 5 Aug 2007 at age 59 in Farmington, San Juan, New Mexico, USA

Biography

Linda Faye (Vise) Thomas, 59, passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington. Mrs. Thomas was born Oct. 18, 1947, in Eau Claire, Wis., the daughter of Prentis Edward Vise and Eileen (Kolve) Vise. Her family moved to Farmington when she was 15, and she moved to La Plata in 1969, after her marriage to David McRee Thomas.

Linda was a strong Catholic, a member of Sacred Heart Parish and taught CCD for many years. She raised her family and worked at the Central Office of Farmington schools from 1981-1988. She returned to school during this time, graduated from San Juan Community College Magna Cum Laude with her associate degree and finished her teaching degree, also Magna Cum Laude, at Fort Lewis College in Durango in 1991. She loved teaching fourth grade at Apache Elementary in Farmington from 1993-2003, where she is still remembered with love.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents; and a daughter, Stacey Eileen (Thomas) Gray. Linda is survived by her husband of 41 years, David Thomas, of La Plata, and his mother, Elva Cheney Thomas Mackey; children, Kelly K. Thomas-Coyle and husband, John D. Coyle, residing in Grants, and Eric Edward Thomas and Megan Jackson of Taos; and four grandchildren, Elizabeth Coyle, Sean Dianne Coyle, Kellci White and Alrick Joseph Thomas. She also has two brothers, Jeff Vise and wife, Judy, of Florida, and Prentis Edward (Butch) Vise Jr., of Farmington; and her brother-in-law, Ted Thomas, and wife, Toni, of Farmington. Also surviving Linda are her two much beloved and pampered dachshunds, Hank and Hannah. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, former students and former teachers, as well as many dear friends.

Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 9, at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home.

Rosary will be at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 9 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 404 N. Allen Ave. in Farmington, led by Father Ray Mahlmann.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 10, also at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Tim Farrell as celebrant.

Linda will be laid to rest at the La Plata Community Cemetery and interment will be private.

Pallbearers are Joseph (Dewey) Jackson, Jude McDaniel, Sharon Rhines, Lisa Renner, Ryan Vise and Michael Barela.

Honorary pallbearers are all former and current teachers of Apache Elementary School, and dear friend and colleague, Mary Gregori.

Memorial contributions may be made in Linda's memory to San Juan Regional Cancer Center, 800 W. Maple St., Farmington, NM 87401.

Sources

• La Plata Community Cemetery, San Juan County, New Mexico