Obituary of Marie Angele Thomas

DR. MARIE ANGELE THOMAS Dr. Marie Angele Thomas died on December 9, 2016 from a undisclosed illness. She was born in Richmond, Indiana on April 1, 1938 to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Thomas. Marie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Marian College in Indianapolis; a Master’s Degree in Special Education from St. Louis University and her Doctoral Degree In Special Education Administration from Indiana University. Dr. Thomas worked with members of Congress to ascertain the fiscal capacity of all states to move special needs children out of institutions and into the public school system. This work resulted in the passage of Public Law 94-142, THE EDUCATION FOR ALL HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ACT. Dr. Thomas started the first program for special needs children in Batesville, Indiana and then proceeded to teach at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral levels during her career. Dr. Thomas was also the editor of EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN for 8 years, which is a refereed journal published by the Council for Exceptional Children. Afterwards, she worked for the Department of Education in the Office of Special Education until her retirement in 1996. Dr. Thomas is survived by her sister and brother-in-law; 6 nieces and nephews; 8 great nieces and nephews and 9 great-great nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass of resurrection will be celebrated at Holy Family Church in Richmond, Indiana followed by burial at the family plot at Dale Cemetery in Connersville, Indiana at a date to be determined.