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Angeline C. "Angie" "GiGi" Thomas, 81, Altoona, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday morning, surrounded by her family and devoted caregivers. She was born in Altoona to the late Domenick P. "Doc" and Edna Catherine (Fonzi) Thomas and, in 1947, proudly became the older sister to Ruth Ann Purcell, whom she is survived by.
To her family, Angie was first and always "GiGi," a doting and generous aunt. She took great joy in the lives of her nephews, Sean and Michael Purcell, and warmly welcomed their spouses, Julie and Rosemarie. Her grand-nieces and grand-nephews: Luke, Hannah, Maria and Ryan always knew that Aunt GiGi would never say "no" to them. In return, her nephews expressed their affection by bringing her a succession of well-intentioned but often troubled kittens, each of which she loved unconditionally despite their many and varied flaws.
A lifelong resident of Altoona, Angie attended the Cathedral School, then the parish elementary school for the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, before graduating from Bishop Guilfoyle High School in 1962.
Soon after, she began what would become a 38-year career with the railroad, starting as a secretary with the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Angie continued her professional and intellectual journey over the subsequent decades. In 1975, she was the first student to earn a bachelor's degree from Penn State University (University Park) by completing all the required coursework at the Penn State Altoona Campus. She continued her studies while working full-time and, in 1986, received a master's degree in industrial relations from Saint Francis University. Her thesis, The Economic Situation of Women in the American Labor Force, brought together exhaustive sociological and economic research to challenge the prevailing notion that women had already achieved equality in the workplace -- an argument she lived out in her own career as she rose to become Manager of Administration for Manufacturing and Operating Assets at Conrail before retiring in 2000.
After years of actively supporting her parents while her mother struggled with Alzheimer's disease, Angie later faced the same challenge herself. She was deeply grateful for the many friends and caregivers whose kindness and constancy made it possible for her to remain at home with dignity, particularly her sister, Ruth, and brother-in-law, Pat, who returned home to be at her side.
Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at Rose Hill Funeral & Cremation Care Inc., 118 Rosehill Cemetery Drive, Altoona.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, with Monsignor Stanley Carson celebrant. Private burial at Saint Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Williamsburg.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
Condolences may be made at RoseHillFuneralCare.com.