(June 17, 1955 – February 7, 2026)

Catherine Marie “Katie” Thomas passed away on February 7, 2026, at the age of 70.

Katie was born in Missoula, Montana, to John and Edith Jones in June of 1955. As their first daughter, and one of their eventual eight children, she spent her childhood moving to different areas that her father's engineering career took him, including Lynnwood, Washington. Her family eventually moved to Hawaii, where she graduated from Hilo High School in 1973. She kept an island spirit her whole life and remained close with her Hilo friends for decades.

Katie knew from a young age that she wanted to work in medicine. She dedicated her career to caring for others, quickly finding a passion for working directly with children. She earned her nursing degree from OHSU in 1979 and later returned for her Master’s in 1990. For 30 years, she worked as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at clinics in Woodburn, Beaverton, and Cottage Grove. She was known for her kind touch and for being a tireless advocate for her patients.

Her life changed course when she signed up for sailing lessons and met her instructor, Christopher Thomas. Katie quickly fell in love with sailing and her teacher. She crewed on the foredeck of their Santana 20, Pony Express, winning many races together. They married in 1985 and built a life around family and the water. When the family moved to Eugene in 2005, they became a central part of the Eugene Yacht Club, where Katie eventually served as Commodore in 2025.

Katie was a casual, warm person who loved to travel. She sailed the San Juans, the Caribbean, and New Zealand, and explored Ecuador and Europe. She also gave back to her community through the YMCA, the Episcopal Church, PIVOT, and CardioStart International.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Chris; their son Jac (and his wife Kimi); and their daughter Rose. She is also survived by her siblings Dan, Barb, Jo, Tom, Chris, and Greg. She was preceded in death by her brother Steve.

Katie moved through the world in a beloved manner, with a grace that made her no enemies and countless friends, leaving everyone she met better for having known her.

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