Obituary of Kathryn Weingart Thomas

Mrs. Kathryn Weingart Thomas, 86, of 115 Kingsboro Ave., Gloversville, died peacefully Friday, May 6 at the Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home in Gloversville. Mrs. Thomas was born August 13, 1918 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the daughter of Christian Francis Weingart and Debianita Marie O?Connor. She was the valedictorian of the class of 1937 of St. Peter?s High School in New Brunswick, and attended the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ. Mrs. Thomas was married October 19, 1941 to her husband Drew J. Thomas, who died June 9, 1999. During the early years of their marriage, Mr. Thomas? Naval career brought his family to several ports, including Norfolk, VA, Elizabeth City, NC, and Portsmouth, VA. Mrs. Thomas was recognized with an award from President Harry S.Truman for her service at that time to the Draft Board. Mrs. Thomas will be remembered as a woman who was devoted to her family and her community. She was a past president of the Parent-Teacher Associations at the Parsons School in North Brunswick, NJ, Columbia School in Gloversville, and the Gloversville Central Council. While in New Jersey, Mrs. Thomas served as a substitute teacher at the Parsons School, Secretary for the Community Welfare Council, Director of the Teenage Social Recreation Program, Secretary of the North Brunswick Recreation Commission, and was Program Director for the Neighborhood House for Children. Once she moved to Gloversville in 1952, Mrs. Thomas continued her community activism. She was an incorporator of and secretary for SPRING, the Society to Promote Revitalization In Gloversville. She chaired various committees associated with development programs, including serving as chair for the Gloversville Transportation Commission, and serving as the Vice President of the Fulton County Children?s Committee. She was a volunteer for the Nathan Littauer Auxiliary. She was also a former member of the Pine Brook Golf Club, and was secretary of their women?s division. Mrs. Thomas was recognized for her many years of selfless community service with a grant of Life Membership in the Parent Teachers Association, and awards from the City of Gloversville and SPRING for her service. Mrs. Thomas is survived by her daughter Kathryn Thomas Handron, MD and her husband David G. Handron, MD of Gloversville, and two grandchildren, Kathryn Handron Bruckner and her husband John of Midlothian, VA., and David G. Handron Jr., PhD, and his wife Kerry of Pittsburgh, PA, and, Four great grandchildren, Kathryn and Alex Bruckner, and David and Ryan Handron also survive, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her brother Francis Weingart and sisters Margaret Weingart and Loretta Bowlby. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday, May 11 at 10 a.m., with the Very Rev. Donald Czelusniak officiating. Burial at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Johnstown will take place at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Thomas? honor are requested for the Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home, or the charity of your choice.