PHYLLIS THOMAS
Historian, Environmentalist, Animal Lover
Phyllis (Hoyle) Thomas was born on December 15, 1919, in Ware, MA. The daughter of John Sawyer Hoyle and Irene Coughlin Hoyle she moved to Union Village when she was 12 years old. A graduate of Woonsocket High School class of 1937, she earned a BS in Journalism from Boston University in 1941. In 1941 she married her first husband, Charles H. Palmer, who died in Rome Italy on June 30, 1945. In 1952 she married Dr. Alton P Thomas, who has written two books and numerous articles about Woonsocket’s history.
Phyllis taught dance classes in the 1930’s and was treasurer of the Woonsocket Photo-Engraving Company for many years until she retired to raise their son Jonathan, born in 1954.
Retirement only drew her closer to community affairs as her son grew older. She was a member of the city’s Citizen’s Advisory Board and President of the Globe Park PTA. She was president of the Woonsocket Garden Club and the Woonsocket Beautification Committee. She was a long-time chairwoman of the Woonsocket Conservation Commission, a prime mover in keeping our city parks free from encroachment as well as other environmental issues. She served as chairwoman of the Animal Protective Association (APAW), president of the Woonsocket Garden Club, and secretary and vice-president of the Association of Conservation Commissioners of the State of Rhode Island. She also was treasurer of the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts and was a member of the Rhode Island Council of Community Services.
Phyllis served as Woonsocket Historical Society president from 1971 until 2009. She worked tirelessly to preserve the history of the city. The early 1970’s was a very difficult time for the historical society. Urban renewal was underway, and the entire Social District of Woonsocket was leveled in the name of progress. The Society’s attempt to save the St Ann’s Gymnasium, the Woonsocket Opera House (Park Theater), and the mill houses located on Sampson and Nourse Streets, were all in vain. They were all taken in the name of progress.
Phyllis Thomas died on August 1, 2013. Her dedication to the city of Woonsocket is still felt to this day.
