Obituaries

Emily Thomas, 50, and a resident of Fremont, CA, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at her home in Niles.

She was born in Tucson, AZ, but a long time resident of Fremont and a proud, 1992 graduate of Washington High School. After her 2003 graduation from Cal State Hayward, she taught 21 years for Fremont Unified School District, where she touched innumerable young lives at Oliveira Elementary, the school named after her great-great-grandfather, Manuel Oliveira. In 2009, after battling diabetes, she gratefully received a kidney/pancreas transplant.

FUDTA, CTA, NEA, Fremont Education Foundation, and Tri-Cities’ Democratic Forum, all benefited from her active participation and support throughout her life. As a third generation teacher and volunteer, Emily was the perfect example of a heart-led leader.

She is survived by her mother and step-father, Marilyn and Ken Miller; father, Gary Thomas; step-sister, Cheryl Miller (Jeff); niece, Haley Barbosa; long time, loving partner, Jayel Whitted; aunts and uncles, Barbara Grappone (Tom), Trish Nunes (Chris), Butch Thomas (Peppa), and Victoria Sanders.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Fremont Education Foundation, 39120 Argonaut Way #381, Fremont, CA 94538 or to The American Diabetes Association, P. O, Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 29th, 1 pm, at Oliveira Elementary, 4180
Alder Avenue, Fremont. In honor of Emily’s love of Disney, we encourage attendees to wear
Disney clothing.