Rosaleen Brady Thomas, 98, of Virginia Terrace, Forty Fort, passed away Saturday, August 04, 2018, at her home.

Born on May 28, 1920, in Harrisburg, Rosaleen was the daughter of the late Dennis Brady and Minerva (Kirsch) Brady. The family moved to Forty Fort where she lived most of her 98 years. Her parents built a house on Wyoming Avenue, and Rosaleen and her sister, Denyse, lived there until the Great Depression. 

Rosaleen was a graduate of Forty Fort High School, Class of 1938. She went on to study fashion illustration at the Parsons School of Design in New York City, and later did freelance clothing illustration for local stores including Bergman’s. She married a fellow commercial artist, Tyssul G. “Red” Thomas, who served during World War II with the 109th Field Artillery Regiment, and as commander of the 109th National Guard Field Artillery, retiring with the rank of colonel.

Over the years, Rosaleen was an active participant in local retarded citizens’ advocacy groups, and was also a longtime member of Holy Name Church, Swoyersville.

In addition to her parents, Dennis and Minerva Brady, Rosaleen was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Tyssul G. Thomas, who passed away on June 27, 1987; and her sister, Denyse Clucas.

Rosaleen was a wonderful mother, and an inspiration and role model for her two daughters, Elizabeth D. Thomas and Pauline A. Thomas, MD. She is survived by both of her daughters, as well as her three grandchildren, Martha G. Bell, Elisabeth C. Bell, and Thomas T. Bell; her two great-grandchildren, Andrés Ramón and Nora Ramón; her niece, Dr. Sherry Morgan; her nephew, David Morgan; and her son-in-law, Fredric Bell.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Verve Vertu Art Studio, Dallas; Geisinger Heart Hospital, Wilkes-Barre; Mental Retardation Day Development Program, Kingston; and Home Instead Senior Care, Luzerne.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call on Friday, August 10, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

Family and friends are also respectfully invited to attend Rosaleen’s Blessing Service which will be celebrated on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Mount Olivet Cemetery, 612 Mount Olivet Road, Wyoming. The Rite of Committal will be bestowed at the conclusion of the Blessing Service, followed by burial in the family lot.

Those who will be attending the funeral service are kindly asked to assemble directly at the chapel of Mount Olivet Cemetery as there will be no procession from the funeral home.

For additional information, please visit the funeral home’s web-site, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics Luzerne County, 100 Lake Street, Dallas, PA 18612; the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 East Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702; or the National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190.