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Olive J. Thomas

1927-2014

Olive J.  Thomas
Olive Joyce Thomas (nee Kennett) passed away peacefully at her home on November 15, after an extended illness. She was born in Talgarth, Wales, UK on September 16, 1927 and was the daughter of the late Herbert and Adeline (Prothero) Kennett. She was predeceased by brothers, Trevor and William; sisters Irene, Katie and Carrie.

Olive immigrated to Canada with her parents, brothers and sister Irene in 1929 aboard the MV Letitia. The family disembarked in Halifax, travelled by train to Woodstock, then horse and wagon to Tracey Mills, NB where they settled on a farm near the US border. Following graduation from Centreville Consolidated School in 1945, Olive taught school to grades 1 to 9 in a one room school in Gregg Settlement.

On August 3, 1946 she married Miles Thomas and moved to Knoxford to live on the family farm where a rigorous work life and passionate love for the community has existed until her illness. Farm chores, meals, school, family and social gatherings with her Knoxford Women’s Institute resulted in little travel beyond Carleton County but a lifestyle she loved.

Olive is survived by Miles, daughter Sheila Graham (Doug), sons Vernon (Catherine), Mark (Susan) and James (Annette). Also survived by loving grandchildren Corey Graham, Kelli Oulton (Jon), Ian Thomas (Kim), Mitchell Thomas (Samantha), Jon Thomas (Leah), and Logan Thomas; brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Arnold and Cora Thomas, brother-in-law Ray Thomas, sister-in- law Elaine Love, sister-in-law Dorothy Kennett, brother-in- law Evans MacDonald; 7 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Knoxford Praying Band Church on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 3:00 pm from the church. Rev. Andrew DeRier will officiate. Interment will be in the Lower Knoxford Cemetery. For those who wish, donations made to the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, River Valley Cancer Support Group, the Knoxford Praying Band Church or to a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated. L.R. Giberson Funeral Directors are entrusted with the arrangements. www.gibersonfuneraldirectors.ca (506) 392-1115
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Service Date
Wednesday, November 19, 2014