Born in Sweden, former model
Maleen A. (Meyer) Thomas, 68, of Westport and Naples, Fla., died Friday, Sept. 24, 2004, at Georgeson Hospice House in Florida, after a year-long battle with cancer. She was the wife of Jack W. Thomas.
Born in Malmo, Sweden, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Annamarie (Lorenson) Meyer. She spent her youth in Hamburg, Germany, and in 1954 became a first-generation American by moving to the United States. Mrs. Thomas lived in Naples for the past five years and summered in Westport Harbor for many years.
A World War II wartime survivor, she attended Hamburg schools and the Fashion School of the University of Hamburg. She had also worked as a fashion model and flight attendant for Trans World Airlines.
An avid tennis player and golfer throughout her life, she belonged to the Quail Creek Country Club in Naples and the Acoaxet Club and Elephant Rock Beach Club in Westport Harbor.
Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, Scott R. Thomas of Wildwood, Mo.; and Brooks J. Thomas of New York City, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Delaney Gayley, Tucker Meyer and Taylor Brooks Thomas; a brother, Dieter Meyer of Hamburg, Germany; and a niece, Martina (Meyer) Hall of Australia.
A gathering in celebration of her life was held at her request and with her in attendance prior to her death. Private arrangements are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place in Fall River.
