Della Nadine Thomas

Della Nadine Thomas, age 68, a Minnesota lifer and longtime resident of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota passed away on January 28, 2023 after an arduous battle against cancer.

Della is preceded in death by her mother, Irene and father, William; brothers, Oliver and William and great-granddaughter, Eliana.

Della is survived by her brother, Donnell (Henrietta) Thomas; daughters, Delicia (Angelo) Johnson, LaShay Thomas, Tisa (Brandon) Mitchell; five grandchildren, Angelo Jr., Santino, Nasir, Nadya, and Titan; great-grandchildren, Canaan, D’Ayonna, Mi’Yanna, extended family, and numerous friends.

Della was born Tuesday, June 1, 1954 to Irene and William P. Thomas. She graduated with honors from Central High School in south Minneapolis in 1972. Della had the opportunity to attend Gambling State University on a full scholarship. Della made the tough life altering decision to forgo out of state higher education to raise her daughter with the support of her mother, brothers, and family. After spending time working for the Federal Reserve Bank and an engineering firm, Della took her passion for sewing and creating to the alterations departments of Dayton’s, Marshall Fields, Macy’s, The Wedding Shoppe, and lastly retiring from Northwestern Casket Company. Even deep into retirement Della answered the request for prom dresses, clothing alterations, and several costumes for her daughter’s sorority when custom costumes were needed for step show competitions (which they always won).

Della had many passions outside of sewing. She loved making homemade pizzas and lasagnas, completing word searches, watching the game show network, talking shit about people, and spending time with her those she cared about.  Della was always kind and loving and usually had a house full of people laughing and having a good time. All her homes quickly became a safe harbor for all those in need from kids to adults.  Della was truly loved and cherished by all who met her. She will be immensely missed and never forgotten.

Delicia, Shay, and Tisa would like to thank Dr. Yi of Regions Hospital, the Oncology Department of Regions Hospital, the Palliative Care Team of Regions Hospital, the HealthPartners Hospice Team, Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels, Lakewood Cemetery, and all family and friends who have cared for and supported Della and her family she battled cancer for the second time.

A celebration of her life is planned for a later date.