Jeannine Rae Thomas passed away in her Ventura home on May 18, 2025, at the age of 84. She was born on September 5, 1940, in Lyon County, Iowa. She grew up in Los Angeles and attended Franklin High School. There she met the love of her life and husband of 53 years, Darrell, with whom she is now reunited.
She worked as a loving housewife and mother of four children. She started and co-owned Towne & Country Fabrics in Fillmore for seven years with her lifelong friend Beverly Hurst. After her children left the house, she had more loving care to give to people, so she went to nursing school, and graduated at the top of her class. She worked as a medical-surgical nurse for more than two decades . After retiring from nursing she was a charitable, gentle and skilled healthcare resource for family, friends and neighbors.
She was actively involved in church as a deacon and in other roles, being a tireless resource for all manner of camps and Sunday school classes.
She traveled extensively with Darrell, but her favorite place seemed to be Rincon Beach. To her family, that will always be Mom’s Beach.
She was preceded in death by her adoring husband Darrell, and her parents Ralph and Esther Long.
She is survived by her children: Shel (Will), Mark (Stephenie), Daniel (Liz) and Eric (Kathleen); her grandchildren: Hannah, Andrew (Mary), Emily (Kyle), Seth, Kylee (Greg), Zane, Veronica and Eva; her great grandchildren Reese and Indie, Charlotte and Pearl; and her sisters Janyce and Marleen (Grant).
Her stalwart loving care for aging family members was unmatched. She was the final caregiver for her aging parents and in-laws. She also cared for her husband Darrell in his final years, giving us an example to follow in providing comfort and dignity to her as she exited this world.
The family would like to acknowledge the extraordinary and sacrificial loving care given by her daughter Shel for the last 6 years, and that of her grandson Andrew whose enthusiastic care for his grandmother brought her joy.
Details of a celebration of life service will be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to the Ventura County Rescue Mission in Oxnard, CA.