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Kathleen M. Miller Thomas, 74, of Guilford, formerly of Shelton, met her Savior June 9 at Connecticut Hospice, Branford, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the devoted wife of the late John (Jack) C. Thomas. Kathy was born in Derby on March 24, 1944, daughter of the late Harold and Marguerite Miller.

Kathy graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in 1965 and dedicated her life to caring for others. She worked at Yale-New Haven Hospital for 23 years, serving in positions from staff nurse, to charge nurse, to administration. Kathy was revered as a nurse by patients and colleagues and enriched countless lives. Kathy earned a BS in Human Services and went on to graduate with an MBA, although her love was always patient care. Kathy worked as head nurse at Connecticut Hospice and then continued to care for patients through her position with Hospice Home Care at Middlesex Hospital.

Kathy loved camping with her beloved husband Jack as well as vacationing at their camp at Canada Hill in Lockport, Nova Scotia. Kathy could usually be found playing cribbage on the porch with friends or working on a crossword puzzle. She was an avid reader and was always up for a relaxing swim. Relaxing was Kathy’s forte. She enjoyed life and always encouraged family and friends to do the same. Her laugh was infectious and reminded everyone close to her to slow down and take themselves a little less seriously. Kathy loved animals but none more than her dog Bowser. She loved traveling and visited many exotic locations. She was the family photographer and provided everyone with fantastic pictures of everyday activities as well as major life events.

Kathy is survived by her sister Mary C. Symanski, nephew Richard C. Sura, and niece Abigail L. Evanko-Weber, her husband R. Michael, and their children Zachariah, Noah, and Hannah, all of Shelton. Kathy also leaves grandchildren Ryan, Kierstin, Timothy, and Tylor, children of J. Paul and Judith Kenefick, and great-granddaughter Kailyn. Kathy’s longtime friends, Kathy Corbett and Nancy Holabird will forever be considered family. In addition to her husband Jack and parents, Kathy was welcomed home by her sister and brother-in-law Marguerite A. and Charles A. Evanko; her brother-in-law Alan Symanski; and her niece Molly Kathleen Evanko-Weber, whom she longed to be reunited with.

Friends may join the family to celebrate Kathy at St. George Catholic Church, 33 Whitfield St., Guilford, on June 18 at 10:30 a.m. A private burial will follow at the family’s convenience.

At the request of the family, memorial contributions may be made to the Bereavement Group at St. George Catholic Church, a ministry that Kathy wholeheartedly believed and worked in. Arrangements in the care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. Online condolences can be offered at www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.