Rochester mourns Margret "Midge" Thomas, 99, leader and advocate.

Margret "Midge" Thomas, a longtime Rochester community leader and advocate, died on January 8 at age 99; her six decades of volunteer work and civic service drew recent local honors including a community garden dedication and a mural.

Margret "Midge" Thomas, known as Midge, died on January 8 at the age of 99. She moved to Rochester in 1957 with her late husband, Dr. Freddie Thomas, and became one of the first African American women to serve on several city boards and committees. Her community service and volunteer work spanned more than sixty years. In the past year local leaders honored her 99th birthday with a dedication of the Margaret Midge Thomas Community Garden, and a mural was recently created in her honor. Known details: - Margret "Midge" Thomas died on January 8 at age 99. - She moved to Rochester in 1957 with her late husband, Dr. Freddie Thomas, and was active in local civil rights and education efforts. - She was among the first African American women to serve on multiple Rochester boards and committees and volunteered for over sixty years. - Last year the community dedicated the Margaret Midge Thomas Community Garden in her honor, and a mural titled "Midge" was painted on the exterior of Abilene Bar and Lounge. - She was recognized as a 2023 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction. - City leaders, including Mayor Malik D. Evans, RCSD Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, and City Council Vice President LaShay D. Harris, issued statements honoring her life and service. Summary: Her passing marks the loss of a longtime civic leader whose work touched local civil rights, education, and community life, and city officials publicly noted her decades of service. Undetermined at this time.