When Jill Thomas moved to St. Albert from South Africa 30 years ago, she didn't know how much she would come to love her new country and her new community.
Which is why, despite her reasons, she is finding it difficult to leave.
“I've never been more happy than I've been in St. Albert,” the long-time Rotarian and realtor said. “I've been very proud to live in St. Albert.”
Yet her two children, who have given Thomas four grandchildren, both live in Toronto and Thomas feels it's time for her to spend what time she can with them.
“They're all just babies and hopefully they need me very much,” Thomas said.
It was 30 years ago when, in the company of her ex-husband and children, she made the move to St. Albert. Unfortunately they arrived in 1982, when the economy in Canada was just starting to tank. Undaunted, Thomas made a foray into the world of business, selling bedding for chickens, horses and pigs made from newspaper.
“It's the best you can use. It's very absorbent and very sterile,” Thomas said. “We used to chop up newspaper, employ the disabled, but it didn't last terribly long so once the bank closed the door, I went into real estate.”
That idea, though, was not initially hers. Her sister, living in Toronto, was married to a realtor and put the bug in Thomas' ear.
“She said ‘This profession is absolutely for you. You're a people person,'” Thomas said.
But Thomas was determined to be a different kind of realtor based on her own experience. When the bank foreclosed on her bedding business and Thomas was faced with selling her home, she phoned numerous realtors asking for advice. When they all realized there was no quick sale to be had, they weren't interested.
“So I decided I could provide that extra service,” Thomas said. “And the very first house I could have sold, I told the couple, ‘You can't afford it and you'll lose it if you buy it.' ”
But besides becoming a realtor, Thomas and her children were adapting to life in their new country. Thomas was amazed, coming from a then-apartheid South Africa, how safe her new community was.
“I remember how easy it was for my children. They would always forget to lock the door and they could just walk into the street. They could own bicycles because in South Africa it was just too dangerous,” Thomas said. “And there was also no corporal punishment – my son used to get six straps a day in South Africa. But they both did extremely well in St. Albert.”
As her career as a realtor flourished, so too did Thomas' involvement in the community. She became heavily involved with the Rotary Club of St. Albert, committing both her time and money to the club's charitable causes. She served on the St. Albert economic development advisory committee (SAEDAC), as well as the St. Albert Duplicate Bridge Club. She has also been heavily involved in the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce.
But it was through Rotary where Thomas met some of her closest friends, including Ash and Sharon Khan. As Sharon put it, Thomas was one of the bright, energetic lights in the club, especially for women members and spouses.
“She sold us our house and was very patient with me and I think I saw 100 houses,” said Sharon. “You can depend on her. We've been on holidays together. She's just a really dear, dear friend.”
Sharon's fondest memory is a camping trip Thomas organized for the Rotary ladies. She says Thomas was the only one who knew how to pitch a tent. Sharon was unable to sleep because she could feel every single pebble under her sleeping bag.
“That was all us princesses camping. And she loved it,” Sharon said.
Thomas isn't shy about saying she'll miss St. Albert — she describes it as a community that has given her everything.
“I'm going to miss my friends in St. Albert, the whole community,” Thomas said. What a beautiful little city it is and how easy it is to get around! How friendly!”
Jill Thomas, Q&A
Tell us about your first kiss.<br />I met a boy on holiday and we kissed on the beach in the Transkei, South Africa.<br /><br />What are you looking forward to most about Toronto?<br />Being a part of my grandchildren's lives.<br /><br />What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?<br />Helping so many people make profitable real estate purchases.<br /><br />If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?<br />I would have obtained a university degree.<br /><br />If you had total power, what would you change?<br />I would make Canada one country and not have the constant east/west conflict.<br /><br />What is your favourite spot or place in St. Albert to relax?<br /> Sturgeon Golf Club.<br /><br />What would you like written on your tombstone?<br />I would love to be remembered for making people happy.
