LouElla Thomas

Lou Thomas passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 86, on Monday, January 29, 2018, in Austin, Texas. She fiercely held on to life despite the multiple health challenges she faced. This, of course, was not surprising to anyone who knew her. Lou truly lived her life to the fullest and always did it “her way.”

Lou was born at Coney Island Hospital, Brooklyn, New York. She was the fourth of seven children of George and Kathryn Christ, parents of a boisterous, loving, Greek Cypriot family. Lou was extremely proud of “her Brooklyn” and had so many experiences that were unique to that time and place. She loved talking about all the Brooklyn Dodgers games she enjoyed at Ebbet’s Field with her brothers Alec and Paul, and the numerous times they went to ride the famous Parachute Jump at Steeplechase. Of course, visits to Coney Island naturally included riding the roller coasters, and a trip to Nathan’s for hot dogs. She even went up in a biplane in the late 1930’s at Ebbet’s Field with her uncle! She and her younger siblings, Paul, Lily, and Andrew, loved skipping out on Greek School to go to the movies, and could recall many famous movie lines verbatim. (We are not sure how much Greek they learned.) As in most large families at that time, she grew up near and with extended family. This included her cherished niece, Anita Peters Platis, nephews George and Paul Peters, as well as her four cousins. When WWII ended, Lou remembered being on Broadway at her father’s restaurant and was amazed to see Broadway finally lit up in celebration of the end of the war!

Lou loved browsing antique stores, flea markets, junk stores and garage sales. Her love of history, especially the history of old Brooklyn, led her to collect colonial antiques. This eventually led to an overflow in our home, which then became her business venture – “The Rusty Key Antique Shoppe.” She loved restoring antiques and old finds and continued buying, collecting, and selling her entire life. This even included renovating and restoring two townhomes in Brooklyn to their original beauty.

Another lifetime passion was knitting, and she truly was an exceptionally gifted knitter. Throughout the years, she taught numerous people how to knit, and many of her creations are still lovingly worn today. People would often stop her to ask if they could commission her to knit handmade coats and sweaters for them.

Lou truly had an “eye” for style and always dressed fashionably. Her homes and lush gardens in Brooklyn, NY; Lexington, KY; Toms River, NJ; and Austin, TX, reflected her impeccable knack for design and beauty.

She was curious about everything, was a lifetime learner, and a voracious reader. Lou was extremely passionate when discussing books that she read and passed this love of reading on to her two daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

After serving as PTA President at P.S. 97 in Brooklyn, she transferred those skills to start a new and very long, successful career as a travel agent. She eventually became a travel event planner and had many opportunities to travel the world, making lasting friendships with colleagues and clients. After retirement, she continued to be very active supporting progressive issues that were so very important to her.

Most significantly, Lou will be remembered for her inimitable drive, zest for life, humor, and just being her authentic self. She was always the life of the party – people flocked to her “like bees to honey.” She “adopted” so many people along her journey and was always inclusive and generous towards all.

She had a difficult time at first adjusting to her life in Texas after Hurricane Sandy necessitated moving from Toms River, NJ, to Austin, Texas. However, being nearer to her beloved grandchildren, Kathryn Maxwell and Greg Shotwell, and to the shining stars in her life, great-grandsons, John and Jamie, made the move worthwhile. She also leaves behind her two loving daughters, Pat Shotwell and Kathy Thomas, her dearly loved brother, Paul Christi and his wife Rhoda, brother-in-law Mike Tsamas, sister-in-law Ann Bartol and her husband, Lee, grandson-in-law Bill Maxwell, twenty-one nieces and nephews, so many more grandnieces and grand-nephews, cousins, and countless friends. She truly loved us all.

We owe a special thanks to Dr. Lisa Neumann (who is like a family member), and her team, Dr. Tomasuolo and Dr. Panalambum, in Toms River, NJ, for giving Mom and us another 16 ½ years. Under their professional guidance and exceptional care, Mom survived lung cancer TWICE! Of course, her indomitable spirit was a tremendous part of her will to live. In Austin, we thank Dr. Rahwah Tannous, Dr. Suzanne Wetherhold, Dr. William Bartek, and Encompass Hospice, for their continued excellent care. We are also very grateful that her niece Teddie Potter was able to travel to Austin to help us towards the end of Mom’s life.

Lou was an original, unique person who made a lasting impression on everyone she touched. She will always be remembered for her feistiness and sassiness, as typified by her cell phone message, “You know what to do!” That pretty much captured the essence of our “Little Lulu.” She will be missed, but never forgotten.

Donations may be made in her memory to Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, or the charity of your choice.