Obituary of Helen C. Thomas

Albany - Helen (Mary Angelina Coccia) Thomas of Albany, New York, passed away peacefully at Albany Medical Center hospital on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at the age of 94.  Daughter of Luigi Coccia and Clara Manna, Italian immigrants, She was the beloved wife of
62 years to Elmer "Lee" Thomas and a loving grandmother.  She is survived by
sons Jeff (NYC) and Tim (Albuquerque, NM), daughters-in-law Rike Thomas and
Christine Dembiec Thomas, and granddaughters Allyson (15) and Megan (17).
She was preceded in death by Elmer and by her brothers, Luigi and Renato Coccia.

Helen was born and raised in Southbridge, MA and performed music together
with her husband as the team of "Lee and Lyn", in the years prior to Lee's
passing, also appearing pro-bono with other musical colleagues at area nursing
homes, bringing great joy.  Helen continued to bring joy and care to her
new friends, as well as the staff, at Rosewood Nursing Home, where she was
living.

Visitation will be Friday January 12th from 9 AM to 11 AM at Christ the King Church, 20 Sumter Ave., Guilderland followed immediately by a Mass.  Committal services will commence at 2 PM at Gerald B.H. Solomon Cemetery in Saratoga, where she will rest in peace with Lee, a veteran of WW-II.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either MusiCares, a safety net of
critical assistance for music people in times of need
(www.grammy.org/musicares) or, in honor of her husband's proud service to
our country, the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).