After a courageous 4 ½ year battle with cancer, Vanessa J. Thomas of Bowling Green passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 7, 2025.
Vanessa was born June 28, 1955 in Tiffin and graduated from Hopewell-Louden High School in 1973. She studied at the University of Findlay. She was employed at RCA/Intersil/Harris from 1974 until 2000. While there she traveled to Malaysia to train employees in manufacturing processes. She then worked for Multi-Training Systems in Detroit, primarily delivering Diversity Training to union autoworkers, where she was known as a “master of her craft”. Vanessa also owned the Gallery Salon and Spa in Bowling Green since 2002, where her two daughters and two of her granddaughters work. They look forward to carrying out her legacy.
Vanessa was fun, inventive and creative, and absolutely loved her kids and grandkids. Her grandma name was “Meem”. One of her greatest pleasures (perhaps her greatest) was making elaborate (and award-winning) Halloween costumes for her seven grandkids. She loved cooking, sewing, dancing, watching Young and the Restless since its inception, and doing anything with her family. She always fought for the little guy and humanitarian causes. She had a huge, loving, open heart, the brightest smile and the most infectious laugh. There really aren’t enough words to express how loved she was and how loved she made us all feel. We miss her beyond measure.
Vanessa is survived by her three-time husband of 46 years Steve Thomas; daughters, Carley Rochester-Cobb (husband, Steve); daughter Gretchen Camera (husband Guy); son Bo Thomas (wife, Abby Jacoby Thomas). Her cherished grandchildren: Payton Camera, Marley Camera, Ross Thomas, Celia Cobb, Quinn Camera, Nora Thomas, and Olly Thomas. Her sisters; Helen Holcomb Nahas (Boston, Mass.) and Lisa Holcomb (Tiffin, Ohio) and multiple nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog Rose.
Vanessa was preceded in death by her father, Robert Holcomb; mother, Helen Summer Holcomb; brothers Robin and Douglas Holcomb.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday June 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 W. Wooster St. Visitation will be held that morning at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be sent to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice that makes this world a better place.
