Elrene Osterman Thomas

Mrs. Elrene Osterman Thomas of Lexington, died January 7 at the Hinkle Hospice House. A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington at 2:00 PM Friday, January 13, 2012 with Rev. Tom King officiating. Visitation will be in the church undercroft after the service. At other times the family will be at home at 201 Woodhaven Drive, Lexington. Elrene was born in Arlington, MA, September 4, 1932, the only child of Algot Linneaus Osterman and Esther Amalia Berntson. All four of her grandparents immigrated from Sweden around 1880 and settled in the Lowell and Tewksbury, MA area. Elrene grew up in Tewksbury, MA, graduated from Rogers Hall in Lowell,MA in 1950 and the New England Baptist School of Nursing in 1953. On January 30, 1954, Elrene married Richard Lowell Thomas at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, MA.. They first met on a blind date in 1949 while he was attending Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH. Following Richard's three years service in the US Navy, they made their home in Lexington, NC in 1957. Elrene's nursing career spanned five decades, beginning with training and graduation from the New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Boston, MA in 1953. She then worked at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, MA. Her marriage in 1954 took her to Chicago, where she worked at Augustana Lutheran Hospital while Richard was stationed at Glenview Naval Air Station. Her next move was to Newport Memorial Hospital while Richard served thirty months aboard USS Tweedy, DE532, which was based in Newport, RI. Upon moving to Lexington in 1957, she continued her career at: Lexington Memorial Hospital; NC Baptist Hospital, Winston-Salem; Bowman Gray School of Medicine-Clinical Research, Winston-Salem; Veterans Administration Hospital, Salisbury; Medical Personnel Pool, Salisbury; The Evergreens, High Point; The Brian Center, Asheboro; The Piedmont Center, Thomasville. While maintaining a home for her growing family and working, Elrene continued her formal education at Davidson County Community College, graduating as valedictorian of her senior class. Transferring her credits to UNCG she subsequently earned her BS Degree in Nursing. Elrene was an avid student and reader of medical periodicals and supplemental medicine. She was a world traveler and maintained friendships with many people she met in her travels. She was past president of the Davidson County Heart Association and the Lexington Garden Club. She has been a member of Grace Episcopal Church since 1965. Her life will be remembered as one of service to others-nurse, wife, mother and friend. She would not tolerate racial or gender discrimination and ethnic jokes were always challenged. She is survived by her husband, Richard, of Lexington; Janet Thomas Whited and husband, James R. Whited, III. of Raleigh, NC; Daniel Hylton Thomas and wife, Deborah of Lexington, NC; Paul Lowell Thomas and wife, Glynis, of Charlotte, NC; David Nathan Thomas and wife, Belinda, of Lexington NC; Jon- Eric Thomas of Lexington, NC; Grandchildren: Dr. Matthew Thomas Whited and wife, Dr. Charlotte Whited and their son, James Alden Whited of Northfield, MN; Benjamin Hylton Whited and wife, Celia, of Raleigh, NC; Robert Lowell Whited of Knoxville, TN; Michelle Lynn Thomas Williams and husband, Thomas of Winston-Salem, NC; Jacelyn Brittany Thomas of Charlotte, NC; Bryson Allen Thomas of Charlotte, NC. The family is grateful to our many friends who have been supportive during Elrene's illness. A special thanks to Hospice and their loving, well-trained personnel who have given such wonderful attention to Elrene. In lieu of flowers we ask that you direct your memorial to Hospice of Davidson County or Grace Episcopal Church Capital Fund or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net