The Obituary of a Brave Prioneer

Christine S. Thomas, Seneca East 5th Grader


Christine Shayna Thomas “Christi”, the beloved and cherished daughter of Shayne and Angela (Falter) Thomas of Tiffin, Ohio was called home at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at the tender age of 9 with her parents at her side. For four straight years Christi battled Neuroblastoma – a childhood cancer. She bravely fought with the strength of a soldier while maintaining the grace and beauty of a ballerina – teaching life’s lessons along the way. She will forever live on in the hearts and minds of thousands around the world who knew her both in person and through her website which recorded her incredible journey.

On a glorious Monday afternoon, Christi was born in Mercy Hospital of Tiffin, on May 12, 1997. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her best playmate and little sister, Shayla, who adored her and her two cats Buttercup and Buckeye. Other special loved ones include her grandparents: Joan Gear of Port Clinton, OH, Lowell Thomas of Kentucky, Joe and Carolyn (Falter) Jolliff of Upper Sandusky, OH. Great Grandmothers include Dixie Gear of Crestline, OH and Mary Falter of New Washington, OH. Godmothers: Aunt Vaunie Thomas of Arizona and Aunt Tina (Gil) Laterza of Mason, OH. Cousins include: Josh Thomas of Arizona, Ashley, Shelby and William Laterza of Mason, OH. Special friends: Mrs. Donna Pryor, Traci Weaver (Harriet), and many school friends. Greeting her at Heaven’s gates was her Grandpa, Vince Falter and her Great Grandparents: Bernard Falter, Joe Gear, Harold & Germaine Smith and Emerson & Bertha Thomas.

Throughout her young life, Christi was able to touch the lives of many with her compassionate personality, incredibly bright mind, captivating smile, and her continuous bursts of giggles. A “pint sized hero” with a huge heart, Christi sponsored many blood drives which earned her the Clara Barton Award – the Red Cross’s highest honor. Additionally she held Alex & Christi’s Lemonade Stands raising over $12,000 for pediatric cancer research. Her artwork was featured by CureSearch, printed on greeting cards, and earned her a special invitation to the White House.

Christi absolutely delighted in learning. She was a member of the 5th grade class at Seneca East, received gifted education services from Bridges Academy, and scored a perfect score on the state’s reading achievement test. Christi was identified as a profoundly gifted child and was a member of Mensa – the High IQ society. In addition to school, Christi took pleasure in taking piano, ballet, jazz and horseback riding lessons. She was a Girl Scout and a member of the Catholic faith where she was in CCD, baptized in June of 1997 and received the Sacrament of Holy Communion in April of 2004.

With an outgoing and bubbly little personality, her interests included: swimming, playing with friends and cousins, going to COSI and amusement parks, drawing/painting, reading, playing on the computer, wearing flip flops, watching PBS cartoons and telling jokes. She adored her teachers, friends, cousins, and the wonderful volunteers and staff members at her hospitals in Columbus, New York City, Philadelphia, and at the Ronald McDonald Houses where she also spent hundreds of nights.

Christi’s participation in numerous clinical trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will help researchers develop more effective treatments for cancer. That contribution to science, along with her steadfast courage and dignity are a legacy of which her family is proud.

Friends and those touched by Christi’s life may call at the Traunero funeral home, 214 Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio from 1-7 PM tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday. At 10:00 AM on Saturday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Reverend Joe Szybka will conduct the funeral mass. Following mass, pink and white balloons will be released to celebrate the life of this special little pioneer. A horse drawn carriage will carry Princess Christi’s coffin through the city of Tiffin where, at the end of town, the “Friends of Christi” will provide a final motorcycle escort to the Seneca Memory Gardens where her she will be buried next to her Grandpa Falter. White doves, as symbols of peace, faithfulness, and purity, will be set free at the conclusion of the cemetery service.

Pallbearers will be: Eric Cook (www.ChristiThomas.com webmaster), Tim Bowerman (Family Friend) Bob Murray (Dance Unlimited), Dave Conn (Neighbor) Traci Weaver (COSI), Brad Powers (School Principal), Josh Thomas (Cousin) and Gil Laterza (Uncle). Good friends, Tom and Lori Leis of Uncle Dudley’s Catering will provide a luncheon after the cemetery services in the rec room at St. Mary’s.

In leiu of flowers, family and friends have established the Christi Thomas Memorial Fund. The fund is part of the Gillmor Trust, a donor-advised fund and 501(c)(3) Charity. In keeping with Christi's strong personal commitment of living life to the fullest and reaching out to help others along the way, the Christi Thomas Memorial Fund will sponsor activities to celebrate the spirit of Christi. Memorials may be made to the “Christi Thomas Memorial Fund” in care of the Old Fort Banking Company, which will allow the Thomas team to provide activities and services in honor of their precious daughter in the years to come."Christi Thomas Memorial Fund”