Carolyn Palmer was born October 10, 1919 in Evanston, IL to John R. and Beryl Bertalot Palmer. She died peacefully on March 7, 2019. Carolyn received a BS degree with honors from the University of Illinois in 1940. She taught Home Economics before working at Northwestern University as a chemist on war-related defensive projects during World War II. Carolyn met and married a fellow chemist and Utah native who worked on the same project, John William (Bill) Thomas on January 6, 1945.
After her marriage, Carolyn taught Home Economics at the University of Maryland College Park, MD and then moved with her family to East Lansing in 1960. While Bill worked and conducted research at Michigan State University in the Dairy Nutrition Department, Carolyn earned her MA (1965) and PhD (1974) degrees from MSU. Dr. Thomas taught full time in the Social Science Department at Lansing Community College from 1973 to 1987 achieving the rank of Professor. After retirement she taught part time until the age of 78 because she not only enjoyed teaching, but found it found a satisfying use of her time. Her areas of expertise were women in the workforce and the family in relation to comparative cultures. Carolyn became a role model for many young women who also wanted to stretch their wings beyond traditional roles.
Although Carolyn was a talented and professional woman, she will also be remembered for her graciousness, interest in others, yummy yeast rolls and fresh blueberry pies. She made gingerbread houses for her children, grandchildren and others since 1943. Carolyn was active in numerous community, church and professional organizations. She was also an accomplished pianist who could play by note, by ear and transpose keys when needed.
The family traveled regularly and extensively to American Dairy Association meetings and to visit family in Utah. Three of her four children fondly remember camping trips throughout the United States but all of them warmly remember the time spent with their Thomas family out in Utah.
Carolyn’s husband Bill pre-deceased her, but they had nearly 70 years of a loving marriage. She is survived by their four children: Linda (John) Kuhlman of Lansing, John (Sonya) Thomas of Lafayette, IN, Barbara Thomas (Hunt Riegel) of Lexington, VA and Christopher (Janette Leno) Thomas of Sheridan, WY. Caroyn will be long and affectionately remembered by her grandchildren: Ashley Kuhlman Knowlton Catanzaro (Mike), Erin Mullen (Scott), Sarah Moisan -Thomas (Gabe), Thomas Riegel (Melissa) and JR Riegel (Kellen). Great Grandma felt especially blessed to know four great-grandchildren: Alexander, Allison and Andrew Knowlton and Kaylee Mullen. Carolyn was also loved by numerous nieces and nephews who are scattered thoughout the United States and Chinese daughter, Ying Wong.
Because education was so important in her life, contributions in her name may be made to the J. W. and C. P. Thomas Enrichment Scholarship MSU Fund at the Department of Animal Science, 474 South Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824.
Services will be held on Saturday, April 27 at 11:00 at the Walker Funeral Home in Spanish Fork, UT. Burial will take place following the service at Spanish Fork City Cemetery, next to her devoted husband.
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