Thelma Louise King

Thelma Louise (Conrad) King died peacefully from natural causes in her home on Thursday July 19, surrounded by her family. Born Thelma Louise Arzamarski on April 21st, 1921, in Wayland, MA, her family surname was changed to Conrad in 1931. She was graduated from Wheeler High School in North Stonington, CT, in 1939, and from the University of Rhode Island in 1943. She worked as a textile chemist until her marriage to Robert E. King Jr. of Stonington, CT on June 8, 1946. Bob and Thelma started a family soon after, and eventually had 9 children. For the last 55 years they lived in Willington, CT. Thelma was a founding member of St. Jude's Parish, and was proud in recent years of the two stained glass windows she helped to sponsor and plan. She was active in the Willington Historical Society, and was instrumental in creating the Willington Historic Districts. She made many friends through her involvement with various school and church activities and, later, the Willington Seniors. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and fondly remembered a trip to Ireland when she was 7 months pregnant with her youngest daughter. She loved traveling and discovering new places, whether in the next town, on a road trip with her husband, or visiting her children. "Mama King" was never happier than when surrounded by her large and boisterous family, and her home was the center of innumerable prolonged family gatherings involving much laughter, music and food. She always loved a party, and the small house was always big enough for the cousins and family friends to join in the fun. Her optimism and faith carried her through some very painful times and helped to buoy the family, as she never stopped finding joy in life. She bequeathed to her children, and they to their children, an endless curiosity, love of learning, creativity, appreciation of beauty in all forms, and kindness. Thelma was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Robert King (1921-2006) and by daughters Mary King Belanger of Ashford and Martha King of Lebanon. She is survived by her children, Robert E. King III and his wife Diane of Hampstead, NH; Patricia Eaves and her husband Walter Mayo of Sunapee, NH; Charles King and his wife Bernice of Willington; John King and his wife Brenda of Ashford; Thom King and his wife Shazy of Pikesville, MD; Hazel King and her husband Dan Robertson of San Anselmo, CA; Nan King and her husband Tom Kelly of Willington; and in-laws Paul Belanger and his wife Pamela of Ashford; and Cathy King of South Berwick, ME, as well as 22 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her extended family. Donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society and Hospice of Eastern Connecticut.