Lou Ann Thomas

Lou Ann Thomas was a stylish, classy, and beautiful woman in every way. Throughout her long life, she was independent, courageous, and so strong, even in the face of her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She was adored by those who knew her. Her husband John loved her like the sun; she was everything in his world. Her children cherished her and relied on her sage (but never overbearing) advice. Her friendships were deep and long—her best friends became our family. And she was the coolest grandmother ever. 

Lou Ann was born in Salt Lake City to Leona Lyons and David Schwartz. Her parents were soon divorced and Leona raised her only daughter as a single mother with support from her parents, Lou Ann’s beloved Mammy and Grandpa (Maude and Herbert Lyons). Lou Ann attended East High School and the University of Utah. She married Dick L. Robinson, and together they had two children, Rebecca Thomas Menlove and Richard Valentine Robinson. When the marriage ended, Lou Ann spent the next twelve years raising her two children on her own. Like her mother, she was supported by her own mother and her grandparents. As a single mother, she worked hard, learned quickly, and always did what it took to create a loving, safe, and secure home for her family. 

She had a 25-year career at the University of Utah, initially hired as a lab technician in the Pharmacology Department, she became Dr. Louis Goodman’s secretary. She kept the office running smoothly, provided support for graduate students from around the world, and proofed and edited multiple editions of the well-known text, Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. During her long tenure in Pharmacology, she created community with staff, technicians, and scientists in the department. She later took a position as Executive Assistant to the Dean of the School of Medicine serving under two deans.

In 1968, Lou Ann married John L. Thomas a “kid” from her childhood neighborhood, as her mother called him. It was a loving relationship that lasted more than 50 years. In 1970, they joyfully brought Lou Ann’s third child, their daughter Laina Thomas, into the world. Lou Ann encouraged Laina to get involved in the arts at an early age, as she had her older children, providing lessons, attending performances, and relishing the development of her innate talents. Lou Ann is responsible for the intelligence, wit, character, and talent of all three of her children.

With her adult children out on their own, Lou Ann, John, and Laina, moved to Los Angeles where Lou Ann worked in a number of interesting and exciting jobs. New companies were popping up, the computer industry was booming, and Lou Ann was an agile learner. She went to work for Dataproducts in Woodland Hills, and later followed her mentor and boss Paul Smith to Silicon Valley.  She was involved with computer technology from the start and prided herself on keeping up with the changes and advances throughout her life.  

With a move to San Francisco, Lou Ann worked in several jobs that played to her strengths in medicine, technology, and office management. Companies like Levis, Children’s Hospital, California Pacific Medical Center, Oceana and Red Envelope were lucky to have her. During this time, she met and worked with her dear friend and colleague, Kathy Douglas. Their friendship was deep and spanned time and space, beyond Lou Ann’s retirement and return to Utah, and Kathy’s many professional and artistic adventures. They were soulmates.

After retiring from Red Envelope, Lou Ann and John moved back to Utah.  For a few years, her retirement life in Park City was extremely busy.  She volunteered for Sundance, Swaner Nature Preserve, Park City Community Foundation, Nuzzles and Co pet rescue, the Egyptian Theater, and Habitat for Humanity. 

Eventually they moved to SLC where she was happily close to her daughters.  She stayed active and strong through John’s long illness and death, and even into her own diagnosis.

While Lou Ann’s three children didn’t grow up together, they are a tightknit group who support each other unconditionally. Lou Ann demonstrated this kind of love every day, to her children and her grandchildren. Her small extended family is a legacy she was proud of.  She granted each of us enormous freedom and encouragement throughout our lives as we pursued our interests and dreams.  She had eternal faith in us, and was endlessly proud of our accomplishments. We loved her. More than anything. We will miss her forever.

Over the years, Lou Ann was the mom of 2 Collies, Buffy and Gypsy, and 4 beloved Basset Hounds: Hamilton, Cleo, Bruno, and Lela. They brought her endless joy and comfort.

She was predeceased by her husband John Llewellyn Thomas. She is survived by her children, Richard V. Robinson (Barbara Hua), Becky Thomas Menlove (James) and Laina Thomas, and her three grandchildren, RoseAnn Tracy (Neil), Daniel Menlove (Jennifer) and Tasmine Davis. 

There will be a graveside gathering on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Salt Lake City Cemetery. Please reach out to us if you would like to attend.