On Thursday, January 14, 2021, Dyana Thomas transitioned from her earthly life into her eternal rest.

Dyana was born in New Rochelle, New York on December 17, 1954 to the late Charles N. Thomas, Sr., and Ophelia T. Thomas.  She was educated in the New Rochelle Public Schools System and graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1972.  She later attended The College of New Rochelle and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and History.

Dyana's earlier career was spent working in local television in New York City and eventually she found her career niche in advertising.  During her tenure in advertising, Dyana worked for several of the world's top agencies in New York City.  At the peak of her career, she was Vice President, Director of Local Broadcast at Active International.

In 2007, Dyana's career took a turn and she decided it was a sign to explore one of her greatest passions, travel.  For almost 2 years, Dyana zig zagged the world, going from continent to continent occasionally making stops in Northern Virginia to re-fuel, re-plan, and re-pack.  Her wanderlust led her to her second career, Travel Advisor with World Travel Services, Inc. in Centerville, VA where she worked until a few months before her passing.  Dyana had a deep love and passion for travel, whether it was adventure filled with hiking and mountain climbing (with friends) or luxury hotels and shopping sprees (with her Sister and/or Mom), her passport was always ready to go.  Her heart's desire was to climb the 7 Summits of which she successfully climbed Aconcagua and Mount Kilimanjaro.  Additionally, she has traveled to all 7 continents, inclusive of Antarctica to see her beloved penguins.

Dyana left behind some special thoughts to share regarding her wanderlust….

I grew up with an ambition and determination without which I would have been a good deal happier.  I thought a lot and developed the far-away look of a dreamer, for it was always the distant heights which fascinated me and drew me to them in spirit.  I was not sure what could be accomplished by means of tenacity and little else, but the target was set high and each rebuff only saw me more determined to see at least one major dream through to its fulfillment.  – Earl Denman, Alone to Everest

Dyana is survived by her mother, Ophelia T. Alexander of Kingwood, TX; a sister, Faith Alexander-Felder of Kingwood, TX; two brothers: Charles N. Thomas, Jr (Helen) of Manassas, GA, and Brad Payne of Long Island, NY ; two nieces: Anayah M. Payne of Central Islip, NY and Havillyn A. Felder of Kingwood, TX; a great aunt, Ethel Holston of New Rochelle, NY, and a great nephew.

If you would like to send contributions in Dyana's name please send to St. Jude's (link is listed below)

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=6922718&pg=personal&fr_id=39300