Thais T. McCamish-Yanoski peacefully passed away in San Rafael Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006, at the age of 92. Born in San Francisco Nov. 28, 1913, Thais Thelma Smith entered the world with a generous spirit that would touch many in her life.
An active member of her graduating class at San Rafael High School, Thais was voted Student Body Association Vice-President her senior year. Recognized for her outstanding citizenship rating, Thais also fostered a lifetime love of the creative arts with her leading role in the Senior Play.
After graduating from high school, Thais met the late Dudley W. McCamish and the couple were soon married in 1936. Settling in San Rafael, the young newlyweds welcomed the arrival of sons Ronald in 1938 and Richard in 1941.
Following World War II, the family moved to Forest Knolls, where Thais successfully balanced her devotion to family and community.
A tireless leader, Thais was active in Red Cross campaigns, auditor of the Ross Valley Council, president of the Saint Cecilia Guild, Valley Chairperson for the March of Dimes, and president of the Lagunitas PTA, where she was the recipient of the coveted Lifetime Membership Award.
Possessing a passion for educating children, these years saw Thais enrich young lives with her work as a Brownie and 4-H leader, catechism teacher, and craft teacher at the Barbano summer camp.
Thais was still able to find time to develop her creative side, becoming noted for her beautiful flower arrangements.
Following Dudley”s retirement from PG&E, the coupled moved in 1969 to the Lake County town of Lucerne. Applying her boundless energy to her new community, Thais became active in the Saint Mary”s Guild, an officer in the Grange, treasurer of the Lady Knights of Columbus, and president of the Lioness Club.
With Dudley”s passing in 1974, Thais earned her first driver”s license at the age of 62 and was soon providing needed transportation for her elderly neighbors.
A lifelong Catholic, Thais was instrumental in the grass roots campaign that built Lucerne”s Queen of the Rosary Church, as well as a performer and head costume designer for the yearly Passion Play. The Queen of the Rosary was the 1977 ceremonial site of Thais”s second marriage to James Gnuva, which they shared until his death in 1987.
Thais continued her energetic approach to life during her seventies and eighties, continuing her catechism teaching and summer camp volunteering. It was at one of these camps that Thais met widower Alfred Yanoski and the two wed in 1990.
Be it teacher, mother, wife, grandmother, or friend, Thais poured her loving heart into her life”s roles and will be dearly missed by those she graced with her spirit.
She is survived by husband, Alfred of Lakeport; sister, Cortona Phelps of Napa; son, Ronald McCamish of Fairfax; son, Richard McCamish and his wife, Barbara of San Rafael; three nieces; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral Mass and reception celebrating Thais”s life at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at St. Mary”s Catholic Church, 801 North Martin, Lakeport.
Please sign the guest book at www.record-bee.com, then click obituaries.
(Published in the Lake County Record-Bee on Wednesday, November 15, 2006.)
Editor”s note: More obituaries can be found on Page A11 of today”s Record-Bee.
