Kristina Thomas passed on February 28, 2019 at the age of 46. A service for her will be held at a later date.
Eric: Love is such a rare and precious thing. We all need it, and we all spend some of our lives looking for it. But it is only found in the fewest and most fleeting of places. It is even more rare to meet someone and know. To look into their eyes and realize that there is no other place that you ever want to be. I had no idea what love meant until I met my beautiful Poppy. We laughed and loved and built a life together for 17 years. And we spoke many times over those years about how our love would never die and was only getting better the further we went. She was the most beautiful person I ever knew or ever will know. When a true word of encouragement was needed at a time of doubt, she had it. When she laughed, she made everyone laugh. For anyone with an open heart, they had a wonderful friend waiting for them in Tina. She was the most genuine and easy to know person as she only had one unique way of ever being – herself. All of these things I admired about her every day that I knew her. The loss now is incredibly painful and immense. We can only hope to be buoyed by the memories that she has left us with, and by knowing the life that she would want us to live. We go on now into the next chapters with some trepidation, but carrying her memory and example with us forever.
Elijah: My mom was a very special person. She loved everybody for who they really were and she accepted everyone. She knew how to take care of my dad, my sister and I very well. She was just a great person overall. She always knew how to help people or cheer them up. I cannot count all the good memories we had together as a family. Nobody expected her to go so suddenly and in such a tragic, unplanned way. It really does hurt to lose someone so close to you and it sure isn’t easy to get it in your head that they are not coming back, but that goes away over time. She wanted to do so many cool things that she now doesn’t get to do. She had her whole life ahead of her. She was truly an amazing and beautiful person and she sure was a good mom. One of my favorite memories was when she, my dad, my sister and I hiked to the top of Multnomah Falls. I kept getting tired and wanted to go back, but she kept telling me to push and keep going and we all did and then there we were, at the top. It was a great day that I will never forget. She was so fun to be around. It will take a very long time to get over such a horrible thing in our lives and we are all just completely devastated. It will be very hard and feel very weird to ease our way back into normal activities and everyday things such as work, school, chores, shopping, etc. She was always there for all of it and was a huge help around the house. She deserved more credit for all the help she provided to us as a family. She deserved to live a long happy life. This is truly heartbreaking and very hard to get through, but she would not want us dwelling on things like this. Kristina Thomas is loved and in our hearts for the rest of time. Rest easy mom.
Alli: My mom meant the world to me. She was an amazing friend, mom, sister, wife, aunt and daughter. She cared more about her family than herself. She taught me how to be a good person like her. She taught me how to stay strong in the worst moments. This is why I want to go on, because she taught me to keep trying. She taught me how to be brave and put myself out to the world and show everyone what I can do. Even when life got hard and I felt like giving up, she showed me how to not give up and to keep going on. She believed in me and was truly my best friend. I knew I could tell her anything and she wouldn’t judge me or act like I was in the wrong (even if I was). So many memories made and so many simple memories that would seem like they don’t really matter, because there were so many more expected to be made that are now lost. Little things set off triggers of crying like an alarm. The other day I was coming home from volleyball practice, and i saw a restaurant where she made me try all this weird food after my doctor’s appointment. I remember sitting in that same car seat laughing and hearing her voice. She was so full of drive and passion. She was determined to do what was best for herself and the people around her. Even though me and my mom had our fair amount of fighting, I knew at the end of the day I could still always come back to her and she still loved me no matter what. I wish she would have believed me more when i told her she was beautiful just the way she was. She always told me how she wanted to lose weight, or have thicker eyebrows, or no gray hair. I thought she was perfect and she had no reason to feel the need to change herself. When I grow up i strive to be like her because of how caring she was. She was so strong and such a good person. I wish to become as strong as she was. I’ll never forget the way she looked at me. She looked at me with eyes full of love. I just want to remember all the good memories we had together even though there should have been more. She will be missed by everyone. Rest easy mom.
Condolences(11) 
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Bruce and Sandy Teeters says
November 7, 2019 at 11:20 pmIt just breaks my heart yet beam with pride to read the beautiful memories you all shared of Tina. Eric, Elijah and Alli, you are all in our prayers and constant thoughts. We will miss Tina immensely, she was such a beautiful niece.
Echo Madrid says
November 7, 2019 at 11:20 pmAll three of you are in my thoughts daily. She was such a beautiful and loving friend. We had many conversations about work but more about family. She genuinely cared about people and loved her family beyond what words can say. She had the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. Even though we only became friends a short time ago, it felt like I had known her my entire life. I am so thankful for that. My heart breaks every day for her family. She will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Angie Stanley says
November 7, 2019 at 11:20 pmTina was a childhood friend of mine. I had countless laughs while riding on the school bus with her, Stacie & Jason… I am so very very sorry to hear of her sudden passing. I’m praying for the entire family during this very difficult time… May you have a lifetime of cherished memories and know that she is with her Lord and Savior… while this will never replace her, may it bring comfort! 💚🙏🏼
Michelle Westerhout says
November 7, 2019 at 11:21 pmI miss my dearest friend and am still in shock she’s gone. I miss her laugh and how she was always there for me in my hard times. I love you, Tina. My eyes look to the sky for I know you are there and someday we will meet again. I’m praying for her husband and children who will need all the strength they can get right now. I carry Tina in my heart and I will always think of her and she’s the best friend I ever could’ve asked for.
Casey and Tiana Teeters says
November 7, 2019 at 11:21 pmDear, Thomas family… We will keep you in our hearts and hope that you are able to find the tiniest bit of peace during this time. We are never fully prepared to lose a loved one, but with time we get through it, and never over it. Hugs, Casey and Tiana Teeters.
Tammie Wissinger-Hutchins says
November 7, 2019 at 11:21 pmThomas family,
Sending love and prayer to you all, although I haven’t seen Tina in many years. I have ton’s of childhood memories that include her, from Campfire girls to grade school recess, and sleep overs! In 2nd grade Tina, Toni and I were all in Mr. Westover’s class he used to call us the 3 terrible T’s I’m sure he meant it in the kindest way LOL! I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss, Tina had an amazing smile and laugh and will for sure be missed by all.
Tammie Wissinger-Hutchins
Heidi Fetters says
November 7, 2019 at 11:22 pmI interviewed Tina when she applied to work at the City. I liked her before she even answered a single question; she entered the room with a fabulous purse on her arm, waving with both hands and saying hi in a cheery, confident voice. I worked with Tina briefly, less than two years, but she never failed to greet me warmly or disarm me with her sense of humor and always spoke of her family with such fondness. She was such a delight. My deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved her.
Stacie Jones says
November 7, 2019 at 11:22 pmI was blessed with the most wonderful sister. We battled hard when we were kids, but as we grew up, we became such close friends. We could talk about anything and everything for hours on end. It’s was not unusual for us to talk for hours. Ryan would know immediately that I was talking to my sister because we would be laughing and having the best time. I will miss our conversations.
She always had a sage bit of advice to offer, that only a sister with 2 1/2 more years of experience would be able to glean. He heart was kind and open and often she would help me to see the good in situations and people. My tendency is to be a little more shy and reserved initially and slowly warm up overtime as I got to know people. I always admired the way Tina could make friends easily upon meeting them.
I looked forward to any time we could spend together. One of my favorite memories was when our kids were young. We planned an outing to go to IKEA. We figured the kiddos would love hanging out in the playland, while we got to shop and visit. It ended up that the kids were running wild through the store with us and it was the best time. Anytime we got together was sure to be filled with fun, laughs, and lots of conversation. Even the simple act of looking at a magazine together, was sure to be fun.
I will miss her immensely. I really am so grateful and feel so blessed to have had such an amazing relationship with my sister. I have peace in knowing she’s now with my parents, my grandpa, and her father in law, who I know she loved so much.
Sheila M. Robinson says
November 7, 2019 at 11:22 pmMay God comfort and guide you during this difficult time; and may the “peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your heart and your mental powers”. Philippians 4:7.
Gary and Sandra Miller says
November 7, 2019 at 11:23 pmDearest Eric, Elijah, Alli, Marie and Melissa,
Our hearts are broken for you. Our hearts are broken for Tina. Some things in life are wrong – and this is one of them. Despite this tragedy, the gift of your marriage has been profoundly right. The gift of Tina as wife, mom, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and friend to so many is never to be forgotten. We love Tina dearly and will feel blessed to have her beauty, energy, gentleness and intellect always with us. Eric, Elijah and Alli – your beautiful notes are a testament to how much grace Tina brought to your lives. We are sure you will use Tina’s memory to guide and inspire you forever.
Michelle (Ediger) Halverson says
November 7, 2019 at 11:23 pmI had know Tina since 2nd grade. We were just 2 days apart – May 13th would roll around and I’d always think of her and send her wishes, and on the 15th, she’d do the same. We commented on each other’s posts often, and I always felt a connection with her, even though we hadn’t seen each other in years.
I’ll never forget our escapade in the 6th grade. …We snuck out of recess, ran through the halls, and fearing we were about to get caught, we ran into the girls’ locker room, stood on a toilet (3 on one, 2 on the other), so no one could see our feet when looking under the stall. Unfortunately, the toilet I was on with 2 other girls (I believe Tina was in the stall beside me) broke off the wall and all 5 of us almost missed going to outdoor school that year, one of the highlights of 6th grade!
I loved her laugh and the twinkle in her eye – sometimes a bit mischievous, but always so kind! She was a great friend and left us way too soon. Much love to her family. I’m so very sorry for your great loss. What a legacy she left! ♥️
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