Dorothy Jean Thomas, 80, passed into the presence of our Lord May 24, 2005 at the Pavilion at Shell Point. She was born June 19, 1924 in Galena, IN the daughter of Herbert and Mary Thomas. She graduated from Asbury College in Wilmore Kentucky with a degree in Chemistry. She went on to receive her RN in Cincinnati, OH and afterwards attended Nyack Missionary College in Nyack, NY. Some Shell Point residents were classmates and remember her as the College nurse.

In August 1954 she traveled to Brussels, Belgium to learn French as well as the history of Colonial Congo in Africa. In 1956 Dorothy set off on her long journey to discover what the Lord had for her in the Congo. There she worked with others in missionary work and nursing who are now residents of Shell Point. Her work in the small village hospital varied from maternity to diagnosing patients in the hospital. Dorothy discovered patients had very bad teeth, so in 1965 Dorothy went to Canada to go to study at a dental clinic. She returned in 1967 and went on to treat the village and neighboring villages at the dental clinic she established.

After over 30 years in missionary nursing, in 1987 Dorothy retired to Ft. Myers. She became an active member of Christ Community Church, a Christian and Missionary Alliance church, where she was chair person of the Missionary Committee, Senior Planning Committee, and the Evangelism Support Team. She was tireless in her praying for others and a regular visitor to the hospitals and shut-ins.

She leaves behind many special friends in Ft Myers and Shell Point, and her close friend Isabelle Rainsberger, a resident of the Pavilion.

-Dr. Bill Lanpher

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To remember your loved one on www.shellpoint.net, send your written remembrance, as well as any photos, to thevillagechurch@shellpoint.net. You can also send them to The Village Church, attn: Remembrances, 15100 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33908.  If you wish your photos returned to an address outside Shell Point, please supply a self-addressed stamped envelope.