TRENTON, Fla. – Thelma Pelkey of Fanning Springs, Fla., and Auburn, passed away at Ayers Health and Rehabilitation Center with her family at her side on Feb. 16.

She was born on Sept. 5, 1923, to Alton Thomas and Luella Elwell Thomas in Belfast.

She spent most of her life in Maine, later moving to Fanning Springs, Fla. She attended school in Belfast. She attended beauty school in Augusta and was a waitress at the Blaine House in Augusta. Later in life, she worked in the shoe manufacturing industry in the Lewiston/Auburn area.

Her greatest joy was her large family and many friends. She loved sewing, crocheting, knitting, gardening, fishing and camping with a special friend. She loved playing bingo with family members and good friends. She was a member of the Auburn Senior Citizens. She was most proud to be a member of the Foster Grandparent Program for many years. She quickly captured the hearts of all the children and members of the program. She proudly received several awards for her active service to the program.

She is survived by her daughters, Rebecca and Larry Rheaume of Buxton, Geneve “Pumpkin” and Jeff Bean of Fanning Springs, Fla., Sharon Tracy of Auburn, Joyce McLaughlin of Lawrence, Mass., Linda “Boots” and Ken Sawchenko of St George, Utah, Jackie and Gil File of Lewiston and Carol and Paul Elliott of Auburn; her sons, Alton “Tom” and Audrey Pelkey of Ocala, Fla., Darrell “Pete” Pelkey of Fanning Springs, Fla., and Dave and Val Pelkey of Easton, Md.; stepdaughters, Rowena and John Emerson of Murray, Ky., Phyliss and John Gilbride of The Villages, Fla., and Irene and Tony Trimarchi of Hudson, Fla.; 41 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; they were all so very special to her and she was so proud of them; and many, many, nieces and nephews, all of whom she had a special relationship with.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Ludger Pelkey; daughter, Ruthie Malloy; sons, Kenny IIvonen and Joseph Pelkey; great-granddaughter, Sammy Kay; stepdaughters, Cleo and Dean; stepsons, James and Roger; five sisters; and five brothers.