Meredith Thomas '08

Meredith Claire Thomas came into this world a fighter, born prematurely on January 9th, 1990 at 28 weeks, 2 lbs 14 oz. She passed away a fighter on November 25th, 2023, surrounded by her family - her world, her support, her everything.

 

Meredith, known to her loved ones as “Nonnie,” lived every single day of her life with the most genuine joy, passion, kindness, compassion, and pure selflessness. She was a true firstborn - fiercely loyal, a protector, a confidant, and the heartbeat of our family. We could not have asked for a more authentic daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend - she embodied the essence of authenticity in its truest and purest form.

 

Mere’s dream day would include playing with her nieces for hours on end, reading a book in a cozy spot, cooking a yummy batch of soup, stopping by a Notre Dame tailgate, checking in with her friends and cousins, quizzing someone on Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings trivia, planning her next trip, cuddling a few dogs, and ending the day with a concert – but none of this could happen unless she first knew that everyone around her was settled, happy, and comfortable. Even through her toughest battles, her only thoughts were of the well-being of others.

 

Our only wish is that Meredith’s magical, authentic, pure spirit lives on in all of us - those who cherished her and loved her so deeply. From the moment you met her, she was your biggest fan and your best friend, and you could never forget her contagious energy. Her love radiated so vibrantly while she was with us, and now that love radiates exponentially in everyone that loves her.

 

Meredith graduated from St. Francis High School in Wheaton (2008) and the University of Notre Dame (2012), studying English and Spanish. She moved to Washington D.C. after graduation, and then made her way back home to Chicago in 2015. She left an enormous impact on all those she worked with along the way, and she also filled her time volunteering with the Children’s Hospitals and dog shelters in both of these special cities.

 

Our Nonnie will live on through her family: her parents, Rick and Brenda Thomas; her siblings, Grace & Kyle Wood and William Thomas; her nieces, Addison & Poppy Wood; her grandparents, Ken & Marie Thomas and Connie Matthews; her cherished aunts, uncles, and cousins; and her many lifelong friends who became family. She is preceded in death and welcomed into heaven by her grandfather, Russell “Pa” Matthews and her furry best friends, Pappy and Posie.

 

“Nevertheless, she persisted.” She is strong, she is grace, she is fight.

 

 

 

 

Please direct your gift to the Meredith Thomas Scholarship. Gifts may be made online at giving.nd.edu (select “Write in your own designation…”), by phone at (574) 631-5150, or by mail: University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.