Long time islander, Jean Thomas passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 8, 2022.  She celebrated her 95th birthday on Dec. 2, 2021.

Jean was born in Bellingham, WA December 2, 1926, the daughter of Marvin S. Allyn and Esther I. (Swanson) Estaunsne Allyn. Soon, sister Marjorie joined the family, and while the girls were in their younger years the family moved to Seattle.

Growing up in the Magnolia neighborhood and graduating from Queen Anne high school, Jean began her lifelong love of journalism. She attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. where she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority and the intramural debate team.

On July 26, 1949, Jean married Lyman W. (Tommy) Thomas Jr. in Seattle. In their first several years of marriage they lived in Mountlake Terrace, Walla Walla and Penn Cove on Whidbey Island. They welcomed their daughter Kathy and in a few years their son John. In the Seattle area they owned and operated Lyman's Printing and Stationery. While in Walla Walla Jean had connections with the Walla Walla Union Bulletin. On Whidbey Island Jean wrote a column for the Oak Harbor News.

In 1955 the family moved to Santa Barbara, CA. where Jean and Tommy owned and operated the motel West Beach Motor Lodge. The family expanded while in California and welcomed another daughter Suzie and another son Mark.

After 12 years in California their yearning for the Pacific Northwest brought a move to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island where they published the Friday Harbor Journal from 1969 to 1975. During that time Jean was part-time writer, photographer and editor. During the Journal years, in 1973, Jean may have been instrumental in helping a group of Orcas islanders and many more from all the islands save the beautiful CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) built stone tower on Mt. Constitution from being demolished.   She wrote an editorial that luckily was picked up by the AP wire services which brought the much-needed attention to the situation. In the end with the help of so many the tower was saved and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

She later bought the business Girl Friday Service. Jean became a wedding photographer, free-lance reporter, and author of stories published in national children's magazines.

Jean enjoyed nature, boating, swimming, and ice skating. She loved photography as well as theater and music. She served as regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was an accomplished genealogist. She was a member of the Seattle, Santa Barbara, and San Juan Islands yacht clubs, and was also a member of investment and professional clubs.

In 1976 to overcome her fear of flying, Jean earned her pilot's license and flew the Cessna she and Tommy owned. She even earned her instrument rating. Jean was a member of the San Juan Island Pilot's Association. She was also a member of The Ninety-Nines, Inc.®, International Organization of Women Pilots.

Jean helped found and volunteered for many years at the original The Animal Protection Society - Friday Harbor. The group of friends initially rented a few run-down chicken coops on Wold road, because of their combined concern for abandoned and homeless animals.

After a twelve-year residency in Anacortes, Jean returned to Friday Harbor to be closer to family and friends. Jean loved life and the people around her. She enjoyed a good story and knew how to tell them, too. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren, enjoying many fun adventures with them and watching them grow into adulthood. Within the past 3 years she was been blessed with three great-grandchildren.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband Tommy, and son John, as well as her sister Marjorie. She is survived by two daughters, Kathy (Frank) Rouleau, Suzie Thomas, as well as son Mark Thomas, two nieces Janet Johnson and Diane Knaupp, and grandchildren, Dustin (Paula) Rouleau, Nathan (Ashley) Rouleau, Lana (Jason) Culman, Zack (Dani) Smith, plus great-grandchildren, Brandon Scribner, Bristol Halverson, Nathan Rouleau, Lucy and William Culman.

At a later date the family will hold a private memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name at The Animal Protection Society - Friday Harbor.

To share memories of Jean, please sign the online guestbook and bookmark this link for return visits: www.evanschapel.com/obituary/jean-thomas