Kathleen Jeanne (Connelly) Thomas

Fillmore --- Kathleen Jeanne Thomas, 67, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Kathleen was a lifelong resident of Arcade, Centerville, and Fillmore. She was the daughter of Len and Ann Connelly, beloved wife of Jim for 48 years, mother to Jason and Jeremy, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt and a friend.

Kathleen excelled in sports throughout high school, was a very tough competitor, and was well-respected for her sportsmanship by teammates. She was inducted in the Pioneer High School Athletic Wall of Fame in 2021.

Jim and Kathleen raised their 2 sons, Jason and Jeremy in Centerville where they had a dairy farm for 20 years.  Life was hard with long hours of tireless work.  She tackled it all without complaints and always with a smile.  She consistently reached out to others, was a master at communicating through gestures, words, and written notes.   After farming, she worked as a postal carrier, delivering the mail through all weather and conditions.  She eventually became postmaster in Fillmore, retiring in 2019.

In retirement, she continued her love of sewing and knitting, donating her creations to many charities.

For the past 24 years, Kathleen fought against breast cancer, through innumerable rounds of chemotherapies and surgeries.  Her fight was strong and unyielding, despite the unrelenting disease.  On January 1, 2002 she had the honor of carrying the Olympic torch through Buffalo on a very cold and snowy day.

Kathleen made all of us better, and will be remembered for her vibrant personality, service and love shown to others, and passion for life.

Family and friends may gather from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N Genesee Street, Fillmore where a funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm. Bob Schooley, pastor of the Centerville United Methodist Church, will officiate.