Helen Marie Thomas

Helen Marie Thomas, 89, died at Midland Hospice House on October 15, 2019 surrounded by her family.
She was born on June 20, 1930 in Miami County, KS to Joseph Raley and Garnett (Stowe) Raley. Helen has
been preceded by her sisters: Mary-Louellen and Beverly, and is survived by JoAnn (John) Gangel of
Louisburg Kansas.
Helen Marie Raley married Philip Stanton Thomas at Louisburg, Kansas on August 28, 1948. Phil
preceded her in death on January 13, 2013. She is survived by their three children, Phyllis Marie Barbe
and her husband Jean-Francois of Paris, France, Lawrence Thomas and his wife Kay of Topeka, and Sheral
Thomas of Topeka.
Helen was a devout & supportive wife to Phil until his passing. Helen joined Phil throughout several
communities of Fontana, Stanley, Morrowville and Natoma before moving to Topeka in 1966. Helen
loved her children and all children for that matter, so much, she chose to make a living raising her own
children and watched over many more throughout her years.
After joining Phil in retirement she remained active in the St. Matthew Parish Holy Family Guild. She also
enjoyed her bridge group and adored her canaries. At one point, she had over 250 canaries and they
always filled their home with sounds of beauty.
She has seven grandchildren: Lee Thomas, Shane (Megan) Thomas, Allison (Scott) Hanna, Miles Murphy,
Curtis Murphy, all of Topeka, Christophe (Annie) Barbe of Redwood City, California, and Philippe Barbe of
Arlington, Virginia. Several great grandchildren also survive: Logan, Katelynn and Cade Thomas; Lileigh
and Analeigh Thomas; Kyler and Kolbi Hanna; Zoe and Eva Barbe.
Mrs. Thomas will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17th at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral
Home where the family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. and a Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Mass
of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 18th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church.
Interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Matthew
Catholic Church or Midland Hospice Care and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW
6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.