Obituary: Katherine “Kitty” Louise Thomas

Katherine “Kitty” Louise Thomas, 94, remembered for decades of service and family devotion

SCARBOROUGH — Katherine “Kitty” Louise Thomas, a longtime Maine Savings Bank employee and a central figure in her family’s life, died on May 23, six days before her 95th birthday. She passed away after a brief illness, family members said.

Born in Portland to James Langella and Henrietta (Zugetti) Langella, Thomas grew up with a reputation for a big personality in a small frame—her relatives often called her a “hot ticket in a small package.” She married Richard Thomas on Jan 27, 1951, beginning a partnership that spanned more than seven decades.

Thomas raised her daughter, Maureen, who predeceased her. She is survived by her grandson, Shawn Johnson, and his wife, Kate Johnson, as well as her great‑grandchildren, Danielle and Thomas. She also leaves her sister, Rose Cameron, and was preceded in death by her husband, her daughter, and eight brothers and sisters.

For more than four decades, Thomas worked at Maine Savings Bank, where colleagues described her as a model of loyalty and dedication. “She built lasting relationships with both staff and customers,” said a bank representative. “Her work ethic and warm presence left a mark on the institution and the community it serves.”

Outside of work, Thomas found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She spent many summers at her lake house in Denmark, where she delighted in gatherings with family and friends. In her younger years she was an avid skier, embracing Maine’s snowy winters with enthusiasm. Later, she and Richard became seasonal “snowbirds,” escaping the cold for Florida, where they created cherished memories.

Family members recall Thomas’s unwavering spirit and the way she made everyone around her feel valued. “She was the heart of our family,” Shawn Johnson said. “Her love and humor will be deeply missed.”

A visitation will be held on June 12 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home in Portland, followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. A reception at the funeral home begins at 11:30 a.m., and burial will take place at Brooklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Leukemia Foundation in memory of Thomas’s daughter, Maureen. Condolences and shared memories can be submitted through the funeral home’s website.