Colleen Ann Thomas

Colleen Ann Thomas
53, of Carmel, passed away peacefully at home and surrounded by family on Sunday, October 11, 2015. Colleen was born on September 14, 1962 in Ft. Wayne, IN to Thomas and Eileen (Boyce) Heminger. She attended Bishop Dwenger High School and then IUPU-FW. As part of her degree she studied for a year at UMass Boston and, while in Boston, met the love of her life, James E. Thomas, Jr., of Kansas City, MO, to whom she was married in 1987. Colleen worked in property management before starting a family in Indianapolis with the births of her cherished sons, Nate and Ben.
Colleen personified a warm, friendly, open, and generous life. She was always willing to listen, smile, laugh, and empathize, often exactly when the other person needed it most. The sincerity of her connection to others made a lasting impression on everyone that knew her, from her closest friends to those who just happened to cross her path. Colleen was happiest in her role of wife, mother, sister, daughter and aunt and took the greatest pride in raising two sons who possess good, loving hearts and thoughtful minds.
Colleen enjoyed a richness of friendships including those developed via her extensive volunteering at schools, including Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, in Cub Scout leadership, and at her husband’s church, Orchard Park Presbyterian. She loved her many friendships from years of recreational tennis at Carmel Racquet Club. She was also a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church.
Colleen’s joyful attitude and focus on living life fully throughout her twelve-year journey with ovarian cancer was an inspiration to many and she was quietly called upon to provide mentorship to others and had been profiled several times on local television. The grace and joy she maintained throughout her challenge are a legacy.
Colleen was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Heminger. She is survived by her husband, James, and sons, Nathaniel and Benjamin, Carmel, IN, her mother, Eileen Boyce Heminger, Ft. Wayne, IN, her siblings, Matt (Annie) Heminger, Portland, OR, Lynn Taylor, San Antonio, TX, Nanette (John) Houser, Ft. Wayne, IN, Jennifer (Mike) Zumbaugh, Troy, MI, Karen (Eric) Wilmer, Charlotte, NC, father and mother-in-law, James (Helen) Thomas, Lee’s Summit, MO, sister-in-law, Lori Thomas, Lee’s Summit, MO, and thirteen treasured nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, October 23, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 1605 E. 106th St, Indianapolis, IN. Funeral service will be Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 2:00 pm also at Orchard Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to Ovar’coming Together at www.ovariancancerin.org in honor of her nurses, doctors and caregivers at St. Vincent’s and IU Hospitals, many of which became longtime friends and all of whom were appreciated so deeply by Colleen and her family.

Please visit flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online guest register. Arrangements and cremation services entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan-Carmel.