Matie E. Thomass

Matie E. Thomass

December 14, 1921 ~ December 30, 2014

Matie E. Thomass passed away at the Homestead  in Montrose on Tuesday, 12/30/14.  She was 93 years of age.

Matie was born December 14, 1921 in Durango, Colorado to Milton DeLuche and Sadie McCartney DeLuche.  She lived in Animas City North of Durango all of her childhood and graduated from Durango High School in 1939.

Matie married John Thomass on June 1, 1940 and they lived in Pueblo, Colorado until the start of WWII.  They moved back to Durango where their son Jon was born in June 1942.  John joined the Army and served in the South Pacific throughout the war.  Matie and her sister-in-law Ruby and children Donna and Jon lived with Milton and Sadie during the war years and both worked at Montgomery Ward during that time.

After the war, John went to work for the telephone company and they moved to Grand Junction, where Matie again worked for Montgomery Ward and Walgreen Drug Store.  Daughter Diane was born on August 31, 1946….a baby boomer…after the War.  They moved several times over the years including Grand Junction, Delta, Salida and Montrose.  While in Montrose, Matie worked as a bookkeeper for Reeves Apparel, and KREY Television.

Matie was an artist and produced many works in both oil and watercolor media.  She was a member of the Art Guild in Montrose.  A summer home was acquired in Ouray and after retirement served as home base while they travelled and spent winters as Snow Birds in Arizona.

She is survived by son Jon, daughter Diane, grandchildren, Nathan, Cheree, Ana, Lynne and Andree, greatgrandchildren, Matthew, Blake, Shaun and Shantel, and greatgreatgrandchildren, Jaedyn, Ava and Alivia and Niece Donna.

A funeral for both Matie and John will be held at Saint Mary’s Church at a time to be determined.  Donations should be made to HopeWest Hospice, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, Colorado 81402.  Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado.