Ann Russell Thomas

After high school graduation, Ann continued her schooling in Michigan, stopping when she was married. Ann moved to Alfred University and Tacoma Washington for a short duration when her first daughter was small. Her next move was to Pittsburgh PA and then returning to Jamestown 4 years later. While in Jamestown she devoted herself to raising her daughters while working for Hertz Rental Car. In 1976 she married Jim Thomas, her true soul mate. After Jim’s retirement in flying the couple managed sales of strawberries for the Thomas Brother Farms. The couple relocated to Naples Florida where Ann worked for Ace Hardware. The last place the two lived was Wake Forest, North Carolina where Ann devoted herself to being a loving wife and grandmother. She loved traveling with her family. In 2015 she returned to live her remaining life in Jamestown.

Ann welcomed time in the outdoors. She was a skilled gardener no matter where she found herself; further, her love for birds was apparent through her many beloved bird feeders. Walking was an avid hobby, keeping active in the fresh air until her very last days. Her passion for reading abounded all her life. She and her daughter enjoyed many trips to local area parks and several cities.

In her younger years, Ann and her family belonged to the Lakewood Yacht Club. They all became excellent sailors, taking part in many regattas. She remained delighted to share memories of her heritage, dating back to her parents’ ownership of Gandy’s Restaurant.

Ann was an opinionated woman but was equally loving and caring. She was an integral part of her granddaughter’s lives as they grew up. She found great comfort in her canine companion after her husband and daughter’s passings.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church called Ann a lifelong member. The third generation of Episcopalians, Ann was married at St. Luke’s and joined the Wednesday Group in her Senior years.

Her resilient, kind spirit will be missed by her daughter, Patricia (John) Martonis of Jamestown; her grandchildren, Janna Puffer of DC, Sarah Martonis of Jamestown, Jessie Winterringer of Charlotte, NC, James Richard Puffer of NC, and Russell (Maureen) Martonis of Fairfield, CT; her great-grandchildren, Matthew and Liam Martonis of Fairfield, CT; and her nieces, Lisa Carr and Lynne Sangiovanni.

Besides her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her husband, James Charles Thomas, who passed away July 18, 2006; her daughter, Barbara J. Puffer; and her brother, Belford “Beebe” Russell, Jr.

The memorial service for Ann will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Chapel in Spring 2025. Further details will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 410 N Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701.

To leave words of condolence, please visit lindfuneralhome.com.