Obituary

Melissa Howard Thomas, age 63 of Litchfield Park, AZ died June 24, 2017 in Phoenix, AZ. She was born May 5, 1954 in Summit, NJ to Victor and Nancy Traub. Melissa received her BA at Syracuse University. She served on the boards of The Litchfield Park Historical Society and the St. Mary’s Westside Food Bank. With the Southwest Community Network, Melissa served local youth in the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention and Accepting Responsibility of Manhood programs. She received Outstanding Volunteer awards from the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections for Exceptional Service to Arizona’s Most Troubled Juveniles.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Woody Thomas; daughters, Elizabeth Thomas (Ross Adams), Sarah Thomas (Johannes Katoko); brother, Victor “Chip” Traub; and grandson, James Katoko. She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Nancy Traub and her grandparents.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 8, 2017 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 400 S Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, AZ. The family requests that donations be made to: Comfort Food for the Homeless Youth, Justa Center, St. Mary’s Westside Food Bank, or Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development.