Margaret “Midge” Thomas, Rochester icon and community champion, dies at 99

Margaret “Midge” Thomas, a beloved leader, mentor, and tireless advocate for community empowerment in Rochester, New York, died on Jan. 8, 2026, at Rochester General Hospital. She was 99 years old and had been hospitalized for several weeks with respiratory complications, her goddaughter, Beverly Randall, said.

Margaret "Midge" Thomas

For more than five decades, Thomas’s life was defined by service, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to lifting others — especially youth and Black Rochester residents — through education, opportunity, and cultural enrichment.

Born Margaret Caroline Banks on Sept. 1, 1926, in Mumford, Thomas grew up in a family deeply rooted in community building and faith. She graduated from Caledonia-Mumford High School in 1944 and later moved to Rochester, where she pursued her passion for service.

Her influence on Rochester’s social and intellectual life was profound. Alongside her late husband, Dr. Freddie Thomas, she helped create vibrant spaces that fostered education, culture, and opportunity for generations of residents.

Dr. Freddie L. Thomas, Midge’s husband, was an esteemed scientist — a biologist and inventor whose work at Eastman Kodak and the University of Rochester helped shape local and scientific communities. He was also deeply invested in mentoring young people, encouraging them to pursue education and personal growth.

After Dr. Thomas’s untimely death in 1974, Midge honored his legacy by ensuring his lifelong work continued to benefit Rochester. She founded the Freddie Thomas Foundation and the Triangle Community Center, institutions dedicated to education, mentorship, and community enrichment that carried forward his vision.

In 2024, she helped cut the ribbon at Dr. Freddie Thomas Middle School, a testament to both her devotion to her husband and her dedication to future generations of learners.

While Thomas often demurred from the spotlight, her impact was unmistakable. She co-founded the Rochester chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, served as its early president, and offered guidance and support to young people across multiple generations.

Her work extended beyond formal institutions. Neighborhood beautification, mentoring sessions in her home, and support for young leaders were hallmarks of her approach. She also championed public spaces and initiatives like the Midge Thomas Community Garden at St. Joseph’s Park, created to honor her contributions.

Rochester officials and residents mourned Thomas’s passing, remembering her as an icon of generosity, resilience, and quiet leadership. On her 99th birthday last August, Mayor Malik Evans publicly honored her legacy, underscoring her role as a pillar of the community.

"I am beyond words to fully express the immeasurable loss of Midge Thomas in our midst," Evans said. "She has made a profound impact on our lives and in our community, for which we will forever be grateful."

Margaret “Midge” Thomas leaves behind a city indelibly shaped by her compassion and vision — from the young people she mentored, to the institutions she helped build, and the countless lives she touched through decades of service. Her legacy — intertwined with that of her late husband, Dr. Freddie Thomas — will continue to inspire future generations dedicated to community, education, and empowerment.