Margene Thomas

Margene (Mar) Thomas, Age 70, of Horton Road, Newfield, NY, died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 10, 2022, at her home in Newfield. She was born June 30, 1951 in Elmira, New York, the daughter of the late Eugene Leslie Mengee and Mary Henrietta Groh Mengee. Mar is survived by her loving husband and high school sweetheart, Gregg A. Thomas. They married on July 28, 1973 in Elmira, NY and enjoyed 48 wonderful years of life and love together. Her survivors include her beloved child, Sarah/Lee Thomas (Katrina Prosise) of Ithaca and Newfield; her sister Carol Mengee Laney (Douglas) of Horseheads, New York, and several beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mar graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1969 and received her B.A. degree magna cum laude in Education from Elmira College in 1973 where she was also inducted into the Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology. She earned her M.A.in Education in 1974 from the University of Denver where she was inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education.

Mar was an extraordinary teacher of young children, having taught at nearly every elementary school grade level, including schools in Commerce City. Colorado and Elmira, New York before concluding her career with nearly 40 years of service in Newfield. She loved music and drama and often wrote and directed plays for her classes in some offbeat and very low-budget productions. She also appeared in numerous extra and supporting roles in various presentations by the Newfield High School Drama Department, often re-uniting with some of “her kids” from the elementary years.

Mar was also an avid animal lover who adopted numerous dogs and cats over the years; she leaves behind a home filled with three dogs, five cats, four rabbits and boundless love. Her fondness for “strays” and children also led her to open her home and heart to several children and teens over the years, becoming a “second Mom” to those who needed a place to stay, tutoring services, a compassionate ear, gentle guidance, and advocacy within the school system when appropriate.

Mar particularly enjoyed spending childhood summers at Keuka Lake with the extended Mengee clan and continued the tradition with the Thomases for many years. In her spare time, Mar was an avid reader, especially favoring mysteries, and enjoyed playing card and board games with several generations of family members.

Family and friends are planning a Celebration of Life to be scheduled at a time and location to be determined, subject to the whims of the weather and the pandemic. In the meantime, anyone wishing to share memories of Mar with her family through words or pictures is invited to submit them to Gregg and Sarah at P.O. Box 67, Newfield, NY 14867.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Bangs Funeral Home, online at www.bangsfuneralhome.com

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