Priscilla Ann "Pat" Thomas

RICHMOND, Ind. – Priscilla Ann “Pat” Thomas was born in Scranton, PA, August 26, 1947, to Bill and Alyce (DeWitt) Thomas. Her early years were spent in Waverly, PA, where she was surrounded by a loving family of aunts and uncles, as well as her Grandpa H.G. DeWitt and H.G.’s mother, Priscilla, for whom she was named. Pat was a “Navy brat,” and was soon moving base to base, making friends quickly, her baseball skills making her a first pick on any team. She helped raise four more Thomas kids, often having at least one in tow on her journeys. By the time her Dad retired from the Navy, she’d been in more than fifteen schools, settling at last for a full stint at Peary High School in Rockville, MD, and working summers at Valley Mill Camp. After a few years of “professional” work, she returned to her true calling – Camp – serving several years as the Director at Valley Mill Camp and living in a yurt on the property. Pat earned her B.S. in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Maryland. She worked for several churches and volunteer organizations counseling women in recovery from alcohol abuse and sexual abuse, and also served in youth ministry, as well as church leadership, facilitating group spiritual formation groups, leading retreats, and teaching Bible studies. Pat was a life-long writer. She wrote volumes of personal journals, authored several spiritual devotionals, and developed and taught a nine-week course called “The Art of Keeping a Journal” in adult education classes and in churches across the country. She formed Pilgrimage of the Heart, organizing and facilitating retreats & workshops on Contemplative Living. In her final chapter, she studied Divinity Writing at Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, IN, ultimately choosing to retire down the street from the school. Her last months were spent at The Springs of Richmond, where she taught the staff her camp songs and enjoyed the community living. Pat passed away May 12, 2023, at The Springs after a brief and rapid illness. Before leaving this world for the next, she told her family, “I’ve had a great life – I love my family, I love my friends, and I’ve had a great life… and now I’m done.” Pat’s ashes will be scattered at Rehoboth Beach and Cape Cod, and the remainder buried at the family plot at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Waverly at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Priscilla Ann "Pat" Thomas

August 26, 1947 - May 12, 2023