Diana Thomas

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Elderly woman smiling in a formal attire.
Diana Thomas

Diana Wanda Fearby Thomas, 94, passed away peacefully Feb. 21, 2026, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. She might have told you she was 95, she liked to add a year to her age, so it was easier to accept when her birthday came along.

Born in upstate New York to Helen Maude Campbell and Wickey Lampo and raised by her stepfather, Edward Fearby, Diana was the oldest of 15 children.

Growing up in poverty, she believed education was the path forward. She was determined to complete high school despite pressure to leave early to help at home. With the support of a caring guidance counselor and the kindness of the Corliss family, she graduated from Medina High School and went on to nursing school at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York. While working as a public health nurse, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester through night classes.

Seeking adventure, she moved to Alaska, where she served as a public health nurse, flying to remote villages to provide medical care. There she met and married Rolland Van Thomas. They later settled in Ohio, where Diana raised four children and lovingly fostered special-needs children for many years.

A devoted mother and longtime member of the United Methodist Church, Diana served as a den mother, Sunday school teacher and active community volunteer.

After working nights as a hospital nurse, she began a 30-year career teaching nursing at Kent State University’s Tuscarawas Campus. Known as a tough but fair instructor, she mentored more than 600 students. While teaching and raising her family, she earned her master’s degree in nursing from The Ohio State University and was later honored as professor emeritus upon retirement.

Diana loved gardening, especially planting trees and daffodils, and tended her yard and vegetable gardens well into her later years. She was an avid reader and devoted thrift shop enthusiast who often said, “Why pay full price?” She was never one to pass up a yard sale.

Christmas was her favorite season, marked by thoughtful gifts and packages sealed with generous amounts of tape. Her gingerbread recipe became a tradition passed down through generations. Diana also enjoyed crafting, particularly quilting, and lovingly created quilts for many family members and friends. She was active in a garden club, Red Hats, retired teacher’s groups and book clubs.

She is survived by her four children, Rolland (Deborah) of Utah, Forest of California, Stephannie of Maine and Melissa (Rusty) of Ohio; 12 grandchildren, Erin, Jeremiah, Melissa, Kristin, Justin, Madison, Mallory, Matthew, Mason, Mariah, Marisol and Jacob; and multiple great-grandchildren. She also is survived by several siblings, including Roy, Iola, Ruth, Lee, Robert and Skip.

She was preceded in death by one grandchild, Michaela, and one great-grandchild, Justin; siblings Donald, Dorothy, Ann, Stanley, Delbert and Dicky.

At her request, no service will be held.

Those wishing to honor her memory are invited to plant a tree, continuing her lifelong effort to make the world more beautiful.

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