Alice Thomas

OXFORD – Alice R. (Gould) Thomas, of Main Street, died Saturday, May 10, 2008, in her home surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous 9-month battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul L. Thomas, Jr., of Oxford, who died on March 27, 2008. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 14, 2008. She is survived by five children, David Thomas and his wife Jeanne of Worcester, Diane Thomas of North Oxford, Donna T. Grudziecki and her husband Robert of Leominster, Debra Bixby and her husband Richard of Oxford, and Darcy Barton and her husband Michael of Oxford; two brothers, James R. Gould of Worcester and Brian J. Gould of Oxford; a sister, Barbara M. Donovan of Oxford; twelve grandchildren, William, Dennis, Laura, Megan, Nicholas, Natasha, Noelle, Michael, Matthew, Samantha, Emily, and Joshua; and five great grandchildren, Brendon, Brianna, Amber, Dana, and Felisha; and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by a brother, Harold R. "Kelly" Gould; and a sister, Margaret D. Bottom. She was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Henry and Bridget R. (Purcell) Gould, and lived most of her life in Oxford. Mrs. Thomas worked at Imperial Distributors in Auburn for 14 years, retiring in 1997. She was actively involved in St. Ann's Church in North Oxford for many years. Mrs. Thomas loved animals and donated to many animal rights organizations. She enjoyed bingo, sewing, and knitting, and most of all loved spending time with her family. In accordance with the family's wishes, there are no calling hours. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Family and friends are respectfully invited to meet at the church. Burial will follow at St. Roch's Cemetery, Oxford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Care Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608, or to the M.S.P.C.A., Attn: Donations, 350 S. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130. Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oxford, is directing the arrangements.