NONNA Thomas, wife of former NWN Media chairman Eric Thomas, has died aged 92.
Mrs Thomas, who died on Monday, always played down her role in the story of NWN – publisher of the Free Press – and of the organisations she supported.
Originally from Haverfordwest, Nonna met Eric while both were studying at Aberystwyth University.
While Eric went on to become a successful newspaper man, Nonna ran a happy home and gave up her time to help charities and good causes.
The Thomases were married for more than 50 years, ending when Eric died in 1996.
Nonna’s family had moved to Aberystwyth from Haverfordwest when she was just a one-year-old to enable her two brothers to attend the county school.
When war broke out Nonna became a WAAF, working in a hostel in Aberystwyth while her brothers joined the Navy and Army. Jokingly, she said in 2008: “So between us we won the war!”
During this time she waited for Eric to return home from war.
They married in 1943 and in 1946 moved to Hampton Road in Oswestry.
Charities that benefited from Nonna’s time and kindness included patients at both the Oswestry and District Hospital and Orthopaedic Hospital and Kids4Kidz in Chirk.
After difficult and depressing war years, Eric’s father Rowland wanted to sell up, but Eric was determined to build the NWN business.
The company’s success should also be credited to Nonna Thomas, who was not only a tremendous support to her husband but always had time to listen and help others.
Mrs Thomas, who has been a resident at Brook House Residential Home, leaves three daughters, Susan, Erica and Nonna, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The Thomas family would like to thank everyone at Brook House Residential Home for their care and kindness.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.