Thalia C. Putney

Mrs Putney was simply one of the best. Her honest and sincere kindness was resounding. A soul and goodness touched my life in a most profound way along with countless others. I am so thankful for my time with her. My love for her and my memories will console me, but I am still so very saddened. I love you and will always miss you Mrs Putney. May the four winds blow you safely home. RIP

I remember Thalia as being warm and welcoming to her children's friends when we would come over to play at the old house on Grubb Road in Wilmington. I don't remember a specific incident, more a feeling of being around someone good natured and patient, someone kind and caring. Rest in peace.

I knew Thalia from 1993 to about 1997. We worked for an educational welfare to work program called First Step Employment and Training. It was housed within the Delaware Elwyn building on E 11th St. in Wilmington. We were a team of 6 women who shared the belief that given support, people could change their lives. Thalia was a positive and quietly forcefull in her approach. 90% of our students were African American or Latino. While on the surface, it would seem that Thalia couldn't be more different than her students or colleagues ( she was the only Caucasian woman on the staff) she was a natural at relating to other people in the purest, most honest and open heart. Everyone liked and respected her. Her kindness was so evident, even the most guarded participants eventually shared personal and important information that allowed her to evaluate and help so many students find their way off of public assistance, into sustainable jobs and/or enrollment in trade schools and junior college. I was privileged and enriched in knowing her.