Dian Thomas Obituary (1938 - 2023)

Dian Elizabeth Thomas (nee Harbaugh) died peacefully in her sleep this week. She was 84 years old. Dian was born at her family home in 1938 in Cascade, MD. She is the daughter of Guernon and Gertrude Harbaugh. Dian attended Smithsburg High School where she played basketball and loved attending the local dances. After graduation, Dian moved from Cascade to the Washington DC area to work for the FBI where she met and made lifelong friends. Dian married John Thomas of Alexandria VA in 1961 and made a home in Northern Virginia, where they raised their three children, all graduates of Mount Vernon High School. Dian was an entrepreneur and successful businesswoman. She and John owned and operated several businesses along the Route 1 corridor near Fort Belvoir from the 1960s until the mid- 1990s. Among them: Penn Jersey Auto Supply (now NAPA), Mount Vernon Auto Repair, the Bike Shoppe, Kelths Restaurant, and Naturally Nice Frozen Yogurt. She was once asked why they had so many different businesses. She responded: "John comes home with these crazy ideas for a business and I had to figure out how to make them work!" In 1969, Dian and John moved into the newly built Wessynton neighborhood in Mt. Vernon, Va. Dian immediately became an active member of the community serving on the HOA and Pool Board for several years. Dian was considered a second Mom to the other kids in the neighborhood and always had enough food to feed anyone who came for dinner. One lifelong friend described Dian as “core to Wessynton” and that she was his Mom too. Dian always felt that Wessynton was the perfect place to raise her kids and she treated all children as her own. Dian was a big supporter of Mt. Vernon Little League Association bringing Girl's Softball and Basketball to the League. She coached several teams even though she had no children on the team! In the early 1980's, Dian began working at USAir Corporate Offices in Crystal City in the Accounts Receivable department. During her 16 years there, Dian traveled the US playing in the Adult Softball League and had fun adventures with her teammates. She loved working at USAir and made wonderful friends there. In the 1990's, Dian and John retired to Ormond Beach, FL. Dian was an active member of the Gold Wingers Motorcycle Club and the BMW Classic Motorcycle Club. Always a "do-er" Dian volunteered at Bike Week in Daytona Beach and was a docent at the local theatre. For several years, Dian was a member of the Red Hatters Club and enjoyed the events and activities with that group. Enduring friendships were made during her years in Ormond Beach and many fond memories were made. Dian is remembered for many things: Among them is her absolute love for her grandchildren and children! She loved watching them play sports or act on the stage and was braving the cold bleachers at 81 years old! Dian was an enthusiastic dancer, especially the jitterbug, and could make any dance partner look good on the dance floor. She loved to play cards, games and was very competitive in all things. Dian was also a great cook and some of her favorites were fried chicken and gravy and her famous pecan tarts. It was not unusual for her to bake over 1000 pecan tarts so that her friends (and sometimes a dog) could enjoy them at Christmas. Dian loved going to the beach and sunbathing which earned her the nickname: Coco Butter Thomas! Our mom was feisty, fearless, generous, strong, devoted, and loving. She is also remembered for her love of wearing "flashy" outfits and "sparkling" jewelry. The bigger the better was her opinion! As sparkly as her jewelry was, nothing sparkled as much as Dian when she was with her family enjoying a good meal, drinking wine, dancing, talking, telling stories, and playing cards. Dian is survived by her three children, Jay Thomas (Cathy), of Annandale, VA; Jeff Thomas (Gayle), of Clifton, VA; and Jackie O'Brien (Paul), of Annandale, VA; seven grandchildren, Jeff O'Brien, Kadi O'Brien, Daniel Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Andrew Thomas, Jake O'Brien, and Wyatt Thomas. She is also survived by her dear sister and best friend, Elaine Harbaugh of Cascade, MD, and her many loving nieces and nephews. Dian is preceded in death by her husband, John Thomas, and her brothers Raymond Harbaugh and Arben (Sonny) Harbaugh. No funeral details at this time.