In Loving Memory of
Kathleen Claire McClure Thomas
of Shoreline, Washington
04/08/1932 – 03/23/2026
Kathleen was born to John and Edna McClure in the rural Skyline area outside of Portland, Oregon. She spoke often of the wonderful family life she enjoyed with her 4 siblings and many cousins on the family farm. After leaving the family farm to attend college in Aurora, Illinois, she met Clio Thomas, the love of her life. They were married in 1952 and raised 6 children together. Clio was a pastor in the Advent Christian denomination and they began their life together by serving congregations in Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1962, they moved to Seattle to serve the Seattle Advent Christian Church on Capitol Hill and later, the West Valley Church in Federal Way. Through their affiliation with various church communities, they impacted many lives and made lifelong friends along the way.
When Kathleen was 48 years old, she pursued her dream of becoming a nurse. She proudly achieved this goal and for 15 years she cared for many residents and families as a charge nurse at Columbia Lutheran Home in Seattle. She was an extraordinarily competent and compassionate nurse.
Family was everything to Kathleen. She was a wonderful wife and a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Every home she lived in exuded grace, beauty, hospitality and love. She lived a life of quiet faith, purpose, intellect, and hard work. Kathleen and Clio created and tended many beautiful gardens during their years together. Their shared passion for cultivating plants of all kinds lives on in many gardens of their family and friends.
Kathleen was preceded in death in 2020 by her cherished husband, Clio and her beloved daughter, Tabitha Thomas Gadzuk in 2019. She was also predeceased by her parents, John and Edna McClure and siblings Mary (Neil), John (Audrey)and Richard (June).
She will be deeply missed by children Jan (John), Stan (Diane), Mary (Jay), Pete (Michelle), Andy, and son-in-law Brian Gadzuk, as well as 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren with a 6th soon on the way. She also leaves behind her brother Charles (Ellen) along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family wishes to thank everyone at Hillwood Adult Family Home for their joyful, loving and compassionate care and for the team from Kline Galland Hospice for the special care and guidance they provided over the past several months.
A private graveside service will be held later this Spring or early Summer.
Memorials in honor of Kathleen may be made to Operation Nightwatch at Seattlenightwatch.org or Kline Galland Hospice and Palliative Care Program at Klinegalland.org
