Emily Kelley Thomas

Emily Kelley Thomas, age 82, died Durham, NC, on July 3, 2023 after an 18-year fight against cancer. She was born on January 13, 1941 in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Paul and Miriam Kelley.

Emily was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, attending Lincoln High School and graduating from Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA, in 1962. She soon began teaching at Lenape High School, where she taught math and coached swimming. Throughout her childhood she spent summers in Ocean City, NJ, where as a teen she worked at the Gillian’s Fun Deck amusement pier. There she met the love of her life, Richard E. Thomas, of Collingswood, NJ, whom she married in 1963 in Moorestown, NJ. Shortly after, she and Richard, newly employed with Scott Paper Co., moved to northeast Wisconsin and then upstate New York before returning to the Philadelphia area in 1975 and residing in Glen Mills, PA, for many years. In 1990, Richard and Emily returned to Wisconsin for several years before settling back on the East Coast in Mullica Hill, NJ, where Richard retired. Emily and Richard enjoyed a rich and varied life in Mullica Hill until moving in 2008 to their dream home on Lake Gaston, NC, where they spent many happy years with family and friends. For the past year, they have been part-time residents of Atria Southpoint Walk in Durham, NC.

Throughout her life, Emily spent much of her time and energies caring for others with a warm and open heart, taking care of her family and creating a loving home wherever they landed. She had a passion for sailing and all things ocean-related, returning with her family to Ocean City at every opportunity. Periodically she taught in high schools and regularly volunteered for various groups wherever she lived. She and Richard traveled the Caribbean together as well as throughout the US and several trips to Europe. She enjoyed a good game of bridge and making and mending things, whether designing and sewing new chair cushions or altar banners for her church or working on her latest craft project, among many other creative endeavors. Above all she made the world a brighter place with her smile and thoughtfulness in all things.

Emily is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years Richard, sons Kenneth (Gayle), Christopher (Deborah), daughter Deborah and granddaughter Natalie as well as her beloved canine companion Mattie. Emily was preceded in death by her sister Nancy Valego and brother George Kelley.

A funeral mass will be held July 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Holy Infant Catholic Church, 5000 Southpark Dr., Durham, NC, with Visitation beginning at 10 a.m. followed by a reception in the church hall. Interment will take place privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials considerations may be made to UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at www.unchf.org/ekt.