Anita Violet (Atkinson) Thomas passed away peacefully with family surrounding her on March 2, 2022. She was born December 29, 1923, in the Whitewater District, to Harrel and Elizabeth (Troop) Atkinson. Anita was the 5th child, and the first daughter to join the family. When Anita was still an infant, they moved to the Melgund District. She went to school in Melgund and Hartney, finishing Grade 12 by correspondence as this grade was not available in Hartney. After graduating she went to Winnipeg where she attended the Winnipeg Normal School and received her Teaching Certificate. She taught in Melgund, Grand Bend, Chelsey and Griswold before getting married. Anita enjoyed traveling and made trips to visit her father’s family in Nova Scotia and California.
In 1949 Anita married Ross Thomas from Melgund, MB. They had four children. Eric, Chris, David and Cathy. They lived and farmed a mile north of the Thomas home farm until 1961 when they moved into Lauder to be closer to their growing herd of purebred polled shorthorn cattle. This herd went from 15 cows to over 400 head. In 1968 Ross’s parents, Chris and Lois, retired into Hartney and so Anita and Ross moved onto the original Thomas farm. NW 13 – 5 – 24. They lived on the farm until 1982 when they retired into Hartney.
Anita was very competitive and loved sports. She loved watching the Lauder Parklanes play and all local baseball teams. Curling and football were also her favourite sports. She was very involved in both Lauder and Hartney United Churches, UCW, Hospital Aide, and Eastern Star.
Ross and Anita traveled to Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, France, Germany, Switzerland on cattle buying trips to bring new breeds to North America. Their favourite time of retirement was being SnowBirds. They went down to Apache Junction, AZ for 10 years. They also went on many bus tours.
Anita was predeceased by her husband Ross, son Eric (father to Wendy and Vicky), daughter-in-law Sarah (married to Chris), grandson Jimmy (son of David and Peggy), parents Harrel and Elizabeth, brothers Charles, Ronald, Merle, Kenneth and sister Phylis.
She leaves behind sons Chris and David (Peggy), daughter Cathy (Gerry), ten grandchildren (Wendy, Vicky, Dawn, Christopher, Donna, Jason, Jennifer, Desiree, Danielle and Kyle), 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Anita had a wonderful, full life. She was always interested in everything in the community and in sports and politics around the world. She was so afraid we’d forget how things were this past 100yrs. She would tell story after story and encourage us to write our own memoirs.
Her Celebration of Life will be held at the Hartney Centennial Centre on Monday, May 2, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with interment in the Riverside Cemetery, Hartney, Manitoba.
The family would like to extend a huge thank you to the Hartney PCH for looking after Mom and making it her home these past 8yrs. She thought it was a pretty great place to live.. In memory of Anita, donations may be made to the Hartney United Church, the Lauder United Church or to a charity of your choice.
A wonderful person, a pleasure to talk to. So glad I saw her last fall.
Our heartfelt sympathies to Chris, David, Cathy and your families. Your Mom was such a lovely lady and showed kindness to those she met. I have many good memories of staying over at your house as a teenager and enjoying the hospitality that she gave freely and the great meals that she served. Cherish your many memories of Anita. May she rest in peace. From Marlene & Leo
Our deepest sympathies to Chris, David , Cathy and families .
your mom was a very special lady. She was a good neighbor and friend to everyone.
She will be missed.
So sorry to hear of your loss. She was a wonderful lady. Marie Thomas
Such a beautiful sweet lady with a kind and big heart! oxoxox
Our condolences, your Mom was so special. Your parents were such good friends of Mom and Dad.
Anita Thomas was a present in my life for many years, my Dad worked for Thomas Farms so many times we sat at the lunch table with the family just like we were family! We enjoyed many times helping with cattle and everyone in the Thomas family worked together to a successful end of the work. The Thomas family were there when Dad got hurt, Ross drove mom and Dad to the hospital on that very frightening morning.
Anita Thomas was an inspiration of a lady, her kindness and dedication to her family and friends and neighbors was her trademark!
My deepest sympathies to the family and friends!
Kelly Unger Younger
Kim Chalmers Younger
Calvin Younger.
Our sympathies to all the family on the passing of Anita. She was a wonderful lady. Keep the memories close in your heart. ❤️
Our deepest sympathies. Claude & Linda Rainville
To the Thomas family,
Anita was a wonderful, faith-filled woman. Her dedication to Hartney United Church and UCW was a tribute to the faith she lived throughout her life. I enjoyed many a visit with her as well as many games of bridge at Cameron Lodge with Anita, Ross and Mary. She will be missed.
Beth McLean, Former United Church Minister
To Chris,David ,Cathy and families,
Your Mum was one of those people that made our world a better place with her kindness and lovely smile.
Treasure her memories as we will treasure ours. Rest In Peace .
I have known Anita and the Atkinson family all my life, and as she married my brother Ross, loved her as our sister. Fortunately, I was able to talk to her last week, and she was busy with her latest project, which started off as a memory of her husband, and my brother, Ross, and had become a collection of memories of bygone days. Her voice on the phone was just Anita — just the same voice that she had throughout her life.
We laughed as we shared our experiences with aphasia and getting old, and as we shared stories the years slipped away, and it was just a conversation with the Anita I have always known. Anita was always well organized and hard-working. She was my first grade teacher, and managed to teach seven grades at the same time. She was always supportive, loving, and kind, and I am glad I have so many happy memories of her. I send my love to Cathy, David and Chris, their close families, and all who knew and loved her.
I remember Aunt ‘Nita and how warm and welcoming she was to us as we travelled out each summer from Victoria to the farm. She was always interested in whatever we had to say. She was just as welcoming forty years later when I came out to stay with her at Cameron Lodge with my Mom, and when we were out for the Thomas Family reunion. She enriched the lives of all who knew her, and I was so lucky to be in her family.
To the Thomas Family
I so enjoyed my short visits with your Mom the past couple of years. She was a lovely lady, so proud of her family.
To Chris, David and Cathy
Our sincere sympathy to your family at this sad time. Anita was such a kindhearted person and had many fond memories with our family. Heaven has gained an angel.