Obituary of Luretta B. Thomas
Luretta Brockway Thomas, age 80, of Perkiomenville, PA passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Luretta, or Ret to those closest to her, was born at home in Gloucester City, New Jersey on April 27, 1943, the daughter of the late Edward Jeffries Brockway and the late Velma May (Phifer) Brockway.
She was a graduate of Gloucester City High School, Class of 1961. As a young woman, Luretta was a Girl Scout Troop leader and became a lifetime member of Eastern Star. In 1964, she met her future husband, James (Jim) Thomas, while working in Philadelphia for Acme Markets in the accounting department. They celebrated 58 years of marriage last November. As they built their lives together, Luretta made loving homes with each move until their family settled permanently in Perkiomenville, PA. Once her daughters were in primary and secondary school, Luretta embarked on a new career as an insurance rating supervisor. Retirement brought Luretta many happy moments as she enjoyed spending time with her husband, three daughters and five grandchildren. Using her talents and unending creativity to uplift the ordinary, Luretta found countless ways to create special memories and bring joy to her family.
A lifelong gifted maker, Luretta designed and sewed her own bridal gown and made prize-winning Halloween costumes for her daughters from recycled paper bags. In retirement, she also designed and sewed elaborately detailed children’s costumes and puppets for her daughter’s theater company. Luretta always relished doing a project, like designing and constructing Barbie houses, complete with detailed handmade furnishings, for her daughters and granddaughters. A warm and deeply caring person who welcomed entertaining and celebrating family, Luretta loved decorating her home with elegance and style. She also loved the wonder and delight of every holiday season. A talented cook and baker, Luretta enjoyed preparing and presenting beautiful gourmet spreads that included carved watermelon baskets full of fresh fruit, tea sandwiches, fresh baked sweet breads, handmade Easter candy, or hundreds of Christmas cookies. An avid reader, Luretta’s intellect and endless curiosity led her to voraciously turn page after page on a wide variety of subjects and sparked her lifelong appreciation of visiting historic sites and museums. Luretta had a deep connection with nature and was most at home outdoors reveling in the beauty of unspoiled wilderness. Here she would marvel at wildlife, breathe in the beauty of patches of wildflowers and open meadows, and relax by a lake with her family while enjoying a delicious picnic she prepared.
In addition to her parents, Luretta is predeceased by her beloved eldest daughter Beth (Colleen Elizabeth) Thomas Pusey. Her siblings, Edward Benjamin Brockway, Dorothy Anne Brockway, Flora Rae (Brockway) Boehm, and Benjamin Phifer Brockway also preceded Luretta in death.
Luretta is survived by her beloved husband Jim and their two daughters, Heather Thomas of Perkiomenville, PA and Tara Thomas of Alexandria, VA. Luretta treasured being a grandmother and is forever cherished and dearly remembered as MomMom by her five grandchildren, Grace, Ethan, Abigail, Irene, and Samuel. She is also survived by a sister Velma Jane (Brockway) Carbone of Turnersville, NJ and a brother William Robert Brockway of Mt. Airy, MD.
Her family will hold a celebration of life at the Green Lane Park on her birthday, Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM.
The family requests attendees wear bright and cheery attire to match Luretta’s spirit. The family will memorialize Luretta by making a tribute book of memories. There will be an opportunity for everyone to share memories and loving comments of Luretta at her celebration of life.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, mourners are encouraged to plant a tree or give a memorial donation to their local library.
Arrangements are by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home of Trappe, (610) 489-7900 www.msrfh.com