1973 – Carmel Valley, California
Jean Thomas was born in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of John H. and Edna Capen Lapham. She was an honor graduate of Smith College. Married to C. Mark Thomas, founder and former owner of the Mark Thomas Inn in Monterey, California, Jean Thomas was a dynamic businesswoman who successfully brought creativity into the world of commerce. After helping her husband develop his highly successful enterprise, Jean began her own business career, first as owner of a gift shop, then as owner of Cannery rowNeedle Point and Crewel and finally, as a partner in Adam’s Gallery. In 1968, she was named Woman of the Year by the Monterey Business and Professional Women’s Association. She was a member of the Monterey County Grand Jury, the Monterey County Welfare Commission, the League of Women Voters, the Junior League of Monterey County and the California Women’s Board of Northwood, board member and residential chairman for Community Chest, board member for the U.S.O., the Arts Coordinating Council, Community Foundation of Monterey County, member of the Board of Trustees of Monterey Peninsula College and trustee of the Monterey Institute of International Studies. The mother of four children and grandmother of several grandchildren, Jean had a strong belief in education. (Deceased 1992)
