Obituary for Rev. Elaine D. Thomas (Ferris)
Reverend Elaine D. Thomas (Ferris), 73, of Fredonia, NY, peacefully passed away Saturday January 14, 2023 at home, with her loving family and friends at her side, following a 17 year battle with ovarian cancer. Born September 25, 1949 in Brooklyn, NY, Elaine was the daughter of Sam and Sally (Milstein) Ferris. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo and a Master’s degree from Canisius College. Elaine was ordained in 1974 as a Spiritualist minister. She served as Assistant Pastor of the John Carlson Spiritual Church in Buffalo, NY. In 1982, Elaine married Mark Thomas and they moved to Chautauqua County in 1985. In 1988, Elaine, her husband Mark along with Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Patricia Panebianco founded Fellowships of the Spirit Church, now located in Cassadaga, NY. Elaine remained Foundational Pastor of the Fellowships until her death. Elaine deeply touched thousands of lives with her exceptional healing work as a minister and as one of the world’s leading teachers in her field of expertise. She was a decades long registered medium in the Lily Dale Assembly and served in multiple leadership capacities in that community. Elaine enjoyed caring for her grandchildren, gardening, reading, cooking, and knitting.
Elaine is survived by: her husband Mark Thomas; two sons: Brian (Mimi) and Jason (Jessica) Thomas; grandchildren: Carter, Tamsin, Tegan, Gemma, Odessey Scott, Autumnskye Seagrave; great grandson, Armani Johnson; brother, Bruce (Barbara) Ferris; mother-in-law, Lucy Thomas; sister-in-law, Lynn Ochs, and brother-in-law, Steven (Karen) Thomas; also survived by nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank: Barbara Sanson, Judy Koehler, Barbara Wright, Tom Cratsley, Jessica Thomas, Sharon Russell, Nancy Kawesch, Terry Beck, Dr. David Marchetti, Dr. Andrew Landis, Dr. Lise Alschuler, and Chautauqua Hospice for their devotion to Elaine’s care. All of whom, along with many others, provided compassionate healthcare and healing support during her lengthy illness.
Besides her mother and father Sam and Sally Ferris, Elaine is predeceased by her father-in-law, Larry Thomas.
Calling hours are Friday, January 20, 2023 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY. Reverend Barbara Sanson will officiate a Celebration of Life service to be held at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church Street, Fredonia, NY, Saturday January 21, 2023 at 1 pm. The Celebration of Life service will be live streamed on Elaine’s site on the Larson-Timko Funeral Home web site, larsontimkofuneralhome.com, starting Saturday at 12:45 pm with the Celebration of Life service commencing at 1 pm. Any questions about the live streaming, please call the funeral home at 716-679-9000.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Elaine’s memory to: Fellowships of the Spirit, 282 Dale Drive, Cassadaga, NY 14718 or the Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue. Lakewood, NY 14750. On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler.
Elaine is survived by: her husband Mark Thomas; two sons: Brian (Mimi) and Jason (Jessica) Thomas; grandchildren: Carter, Tamsin, Tegan, Gemma, Odessey Scott, Autumnskye Seagrave; great grandson, Armani Johnson; brother, Bruce (Barbara) Ferris; mother-in-law, Lucy Thomas; sister-in-law, Lynn Ochs, and brother-in-law, Steven (Karen) Thomas; also survived by nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank: Barbara Sanson, Judy Koehler, Barbara Wright, Tom Cratsley, Jessica Thomas, Sharon Russell, Nancy Kawesch, Terry Beck, Dr. David Marchetti, Dr. Andrew Landis, Dr. Lise Alschuler, and Chautauqua Hospice for their devotion to Elaine’s care. All of whom, along with many others, provided compassionate healthcare and healing support during her lengthy illness.
Besides her mother and father Sam and Sally Ferris, Elaine is predeceased by her father-in-law, Larry Thomas.
Calling hours are Friday, January 20, 2023 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY. Reverend Barbara Sanson will officiate a Celebration of Life service to be held at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church Street, Fredonia, NY, Saturday January 21, 2023 at 1 pm. The Celebration of Life service will be live streamed on Elaine’s site on the Larson-Timko Funeral Home web site, larsontimkofuneralhome.com, starting Saturday at 12:45 pm with the Celebration of Life service commencing at 1 pm. Any questions about the live streaming, please call the funeral home at 716-679-9000.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Elaine’s memory to: Fellowships of the Spirit, 282 Dale Drive, Cassadaga, NY 14718 or the Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue. Lakewood, NY 14750. On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler.