Sandra Nelson Foster Thomas

SCARBOROUGH – lt is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sandra Nelson Foster Thomas, who passed away peacefully in her home after a brief illness on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the age of 73.

She was a devoted, passionate and loving wife, mother, sister, and friend that had the ability to make people feel they were special and important, showed a caring and loving energy that was felt by all she interacted with.

Sandra was born on Dec. 4, 1951, in Somerville, Mass., a few years later permanently moving to Cape Elizabeth. She was born to Horace and Ruth Foster. Her greatest laughter and joy was spending time with husband and son, her family, and friends.

Sandra grew up in and graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School, and later from Westbrook College. She met her husband, Neil Thomas when they were 21 and married June 4, 1977. Sandra and Neil welcomed their first and only child, Garth on July 2, 1982. Living in Scarborough, she worked at the same law firm, Pierce Atwood in Portland, for 42 years.

Sandra’s greatest enjoyment was raising her son with Neil and going to all the music concerts and seeing him and all his friends, always laughing, always positive. Her love was felt, simply by anyone who was in her presence, with no question or judgement. She always had a special way of knowing exactly what to say in the right moment, but more importantly, knowing exactly when she simply needed to listen.

Sandra was predeceased by her parents, Ruth and Horace Foster, of Cape Elizabeth; her wonderful nephew, Mark McGinnis, of Greensboro, N.C.

She is survived by her husband, Neil Thomas, of Scarborough; her son, Garth Thomas and wife, Shelsie Thomas of Saco. She is also survived by her twin sister, Linda Landry and husband James Landry, of Greensboro, N.C., their daughter, Bethany Willard, of Greensboro, N.C.; sister, Marcia McGinnis and husband Peter McGinnis of Greensboro, N.C., their daughter, Meredith Doster, of Woodstock, Ga.; and sister, Betsey Oliver and husband Donald Oliver, of Gig Harbor, Wash., her sons, Andrew McGinnis of Mt. Juliet, Tenn. and Eric McGinnis of Gig Harbor, Wash.

There will be services held for Sandra Thomas at Hobbs Funeral Home at 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland, ME 04106 on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. There will be a reception at the same location immediately following the funeral services. Sandra will complete her journey at Highland Memorial Cemetery with a private burial.