Shirley M. Thomas

Shirley M Thomas passed away Thursday September 1, 2022. Shirley was born December 30,1936 in Jordan Montana to Howard and Myrl Viall. Shirley was raised on a farm in Kinsey Montana with her three brothers and one sister. She attended Billing Deaconess Nursing Program to become a Registered Nurse. She met the love of her life, Robert Carol Thomas, during her nursing rotation at Warm Springs State Hospital. They married on September 25th,1958 and raised three girls in Anaconda Montana. Shirley and Bob enjoyed many activities including snowmobiling, dancing, bowling, golfing, camping, and spending time with friends and family.

After retiring from a long nursing career, Shirley found her passion in quilting and was active in the Anaconda Quilting Guild. She created hundreds of beautiful pieces which were generously shared with others. Shirley had a wonderful sense of humor and smiled with a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes.  Shirley also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing canasta, word games, bingo and was seldom defeated at cribbage which she learned from the best, her daddy.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Robert Carol Thomas, parents Howard and Myrl Viall, and brothers Jerome Viall and Howard Brownie Viall.

Shirley is survived by her daughters and son in laws Carol and Shaun Hoolahan, Jonna and Chuck Brenton, and Lora and Les Holland.  Grandchildren include Seamus Hoolahan, Lance Brenton (Edna Parra), Lacie Brenton, MacLain Holland and great grandchild Estes Brenton. She is also survived by her sister Jeanine (Art) Hammer and brother Dallas Viall.

Shirley was well loved by all and will be greatly missed by her many friends and family.

A celebration of her life will be Saturday, September 17th, 11 a.m. Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda Montana.  Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Shirley.