Obituary: Danette Thomas

Aug. 5, 1937 - June 21, 2013

Danette Thomas peacefully passed away on June 21 at the age of 75. She was born in San Francisco, CA on August 5, 1937. Her greatest joy was her 57 year marriage to her best friend and beloved husband, Bill Thomas.

Danette lived most of her life in Southern California except for a few enjoyable years in northern Virginia and in the South Lake Tahoe area. She cherished her large family, many lifelong friends and a succession of beloved dogs. Her contribution as a business partner and financial manager to the family business, CA International, was invaluable for over 25 years. She loved to play video poker and astounded all who knew her with her mastery of the winning jackpot. She was a keen student of politics and a proud lifelong Democrat. She loved to read and watch television, sharing the travails of her favorite characters with her like-minded daughters.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mabel and George Christenson

In addition to her husband, Danette is survived by her daughters, Christa Givich, Jodie Thomas and Jennifer Gattey; her sons, Bill Thomas Jr. and Shawn Thomas; sons-in-law, Mike Givich and Joel Gattey; daughter-in-law, Moira Potter; and her sister, Jan Davis.

She doted on her seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and viewed them as her greatest legacy.

A funeral mass in her memory will be said on Friday, June 28, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church at 20444 Magnolia St. in Huntington Beach, CA. A graveside service will follow at 12:00 at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 7845 East Santiago Canyon Rd., Orange, CA. A reception will follow the services and specific information will be provided at the service or by contacting the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Danette’s name to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org/donate.