Maria A. (Cascone) Thomas, 85, of Manchester, beloved wife of the late Carl J. Thomas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at Glastonbury Health Care Center. Maria was born on December 3, 1926 in Hartford daughter of the late Carmello and Elizabeth (Trozzi) Cascone. Maria was a gifted marble player and an avid cook (and so much more), well known for her homemade apple pies and ravioli. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Thomas and David Jackson of Columbia, her three sons and daughters-in-law, Carl and Victoria Thomas of Manchester, Bruce and Ana Thomas of South Glastonbury and Christopher and Sandra Thomas of Houston, TX, nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. She also leaves her brother, Samuel Cascone of East Hartford, her two sisters, Laura Vignone of Florida and Virginia Valles of South Windsor and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents Maria was predeceased by her son, Joseph W. Thomas and her brother, Louis Cascone. Maria’s family would like to thank the staff, especially the wonderfully thoughtful aides at Glastonbury Health Care for all their care. Memorial calling hours will be held Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 4-6 pm with a prayer service to be celebrated at 6:00 pm at Watkins Funeral Home, 142 East Center St. Manchester. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter, 659 Tower Ave. 1st Floor, Hartford, CT 06112-1269. To leave an online condolence please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com
I will miss her so very much…
Here is a Kiss ... Mom & Dad 
Oh, Elizabeth Honey, I am so very sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos of your mom, and for all the sharings over the past months. Your mother’s comments made me laugh, and made me appreciate Mother’s all the more. I would like to have known your mother. I know she has a daughter of whom she was so very, very proud. What a wonderful example you are to all of us caregivers. I wish for you many memories filled with laughter, and the deep satisfaction of knowing that you did your very best to make your mother’s life rich and filled with love and laughter.
Hugs, Patricia
Oh Elizabeth, I am so sorry about your loss. But you were so lucky to have had her. I will miss your stories about her. Thank you for sharing your love for mom with us, your readers.
Elizabeth, I am so very sorry for your loss…Mom’s are very special…your writings of her have had me smiling more than once.
Elisabeth, I am so sorry for for your loss. Thank you for sharing your mom with us through your writing. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I’ve been reading here all along, and many posts touched me. For that, I thank you. My mother is long gone, and though we had a confusing and difficult relationship, I still miss her.
The richness of her life is reflected in your writing. Thank you for sharing this with the world.
Peace.
Loving you up today! See you tomorrow. ❤
Elizabeth, Your struggles have mirrored mine so many times in loving and living with a mom whose mind and body has been gradually deteriorating. I’ve derived great comfort from that fact. One of the huge things I’ve learned from you is that regardless of how old they get, our moms fight that deterioration with all their might… and who can blame them? There is very little to happily accept about losing control over one’s body and mind. You’ve been a GOOD daughter. Now you can both be at peace. Thank you so much for your work here.
Elizabeth, I have just returned from seeing my mother in Florida–she’s so far away. Last year I promised myself I wouldn’t miss a year (after missing 5). Though mothers seem timeless, and a daughter might give specific instructions that her mother is not allowed to die—it is inevitable, and time keeps on moving. I insist on quality life and there, our opinions may differ (mine doesn’t include cigarettes, includes exercise). The best I can hope for is that I am of some influence and mind and body will meet in the middle and compromise. We get along better than we ever have.
I miss her more and more as I get older and then the not knowing about what the future holds for my mother as she moves through her 70’s with a full life behind her—concerns me.
I remember your mother from the poetry workshop in Glastonbury. I was so honored to meet such wonderful person. And how wonderful it was of you to be there for her. How empowering it must have been to her to have such a strong and talented daughter at her side as well as such a supportive family. She must have been sooo proud of you with all the poetry and accomplishments you’ve done. And YOU, with and without effort strived to add to the quality of life your mother had, till the end, from the poetry to the jokes—even through the few tears, Yes, you were lucky that your mom was still alive. And ultimately, you’re lucky now, to have had such a wonderful mother for all that time. And what a wonderful memory of strength and bonding between a mother and daughter. Empowering, really–
Thank you for sharing this blog—Peace and blessing to you and your family.
Victoria
Dear Elizabeth,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I know we never got to know each other, but my heart felt your awesome love for your mother when I first came upon your blog. I feel blessed by having read what you’ve written. I enjoyed so very much the few posts I read and love the examples of your mother’s humor. I hope you are surrounded by loving family as I write and, that having written this blog (and your book) will help you along the way in your life. Wishing you peace and many blessings.
With Sympathy,
Michelle.
My thoughts are with you and your family. As so many others have said here, i truly enjoyed and appreciated your shared stories about your mother. I also truly admire your selfless dedication to her in these past months. I thank you for the window into your world.
Much sympathy,
Tamara