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Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) School Fire, December 1, 1958




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Valerie Ann Thoma
Room Age Birthdate Grade B/G/T
209 13 4/13/45 8 Girl
Teacher
Sister Mary Davidis Devine, BVM
Address
831 N Trumbull 
Family
Father: William Thoma
Mother: Dorothea (Farrell) Thoma
Brothers: William Jr. and Michael Thoma
Sisters: Denise and Susanne Thoma
Grandfather: Julius Thoma 
About Valerie
Passed away March 10, 1959 
Interred: Queen of Heaven (Hillside, IL)
Memories of Valerie
Valerie belonged to the Royal-Airs Drum and Bugle Corps. On the Anniversary of the Fire, The Royal-Airs remember our three Members along with all of the victims by gathering at Queen of Heaven Cemetery to play taps and remember. We had such a great time in Drum & Bugle Corps in the 1960's. We only wish that Valerie, Roger Ramlow and Francis Guzaldo could have been with us.
    -- (A fellow Royal-Air)
I have one still vivid memory of Valerie. My family lived down the street from the Thoma family on Trumbull Ave. Valerie's sister, Suzy, was my best friend. We were only four or five years old. It was Easter and Valerie hid eggs for us to hunt. I found one in the goldfish bowl! My family moved to Franklin Park not long after that time. My prayers today are for the Thoma family and all those families touched by this great tragedy.
Shirley Jelonek (Vinci)
    -- (Shirley Jelonek, Friend)
I have been thinking of the Thoma family for years. I was friends with Sue and we lived across from the Thoma family. My maiden name is Loar and my grandparents were named Genualdi. I have such fond memories of the Thoma family and I wanted them to know they are still in my heart.
    -- (Gail Lynn Loar Miesel, Friend)