Nora Thomas Medina

On Tuesday, August 12, 2026, Nora Thomas Medina passed away from this world to claim her share of her inheritance in Christ’s kingdom.

Nora was born on August 20, 1989, in Alexandria, Virginia to Jeffrey and Diane Thomas. Nora spent her early childhood in Seneca Falls, New York, before the family relocated to Tucson, Arizona. Nora graduated from Cienega High School in 2007, then studied at Regency Beauty Institute, setting her on her lifelong path as an aesthetician who treated the skin of people in need. That path took her to earning an Associate’s Degree from Dona Ana Community College, then a bachelor's degree in Applied Sciences from New Mexico State University in 2023. In 2024, Nora earned a Master’s Degree in Dermatology and Skin Biology from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. In 2025, Nora started nursing school at DACC; she gave it her all for two semesters and was awarded an honorary LPN in August, 2026. Intertwined with her academic pursuits, Nora honed her craft, developed her own skin treatments, and carved her own path in the aesthetic skincare world. Nora consulted national skincare brands on treatments and product development. She was a faculty member at skincare conferences from Las Vegas, to Miami, to London. She did all of this to provide personalized, innovative care to all of her skincare clients, whom she loved and cared for deeply.

Nora loved theater. Nora acted and performed in dozens of theater productions over the years. Nora loved developing shows, sharing her vision, and giving performers an opportunity to shine. Nora also loved singing, playing piano, sewing, quilting, and crafting.

On July 9, 2016, Nora married her adoring husband, Tomas. They were married for ten wonderful years. During their marriage, Nora and Tomas became resource parents for children in need, and welcomed dozens of children into their home over a period of years. Nora and Tomas proudly built their family through the miraculous gift of adoption.

Nora is survived by her loving husband of ten years, Tomas; their children, Mikele, Elycia, Star, and Billy; her parents, Jeffrey and Diane Thomas; brother John Thomas; maternal grandmother Jane Quinn; paternal grandparents Donald and Joyce Thomas; Cousin Maury Harris, her husband Brian, and their children Connor, Cash, Posey, and Lou; Cousin Thad Merrill and his children Cayson, Burke, and Carly; Uncle Mark Thomas and Aunt Janelle Davis, and their children, Mitchell and Zachary; Aunt Nita and Uncle Ben Glassman, and their daughters Bea and Lucy; Uncle Ross and Aunt Rhonda Thomas, and their children Winslow, Maggie, and Sadie; Cousin David Shelley and his daughters Nola and Theora; Parents-in-law Rick and Yolanda Medina; Siblings-in-law Rafael, Michael, and Alberta Medina; godson Emilio Montez; goddaughter Cami Guerrero; niece Claire Smith and her parents, Jennifer and Josh; and niece Camilla Medina. Additionally, Nora reserved a special place in her heart for the Thead, Greer/Smith, and Guerrero families, who were her sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews for all intents and purposes. Nora was preceded in death by her grandfather John Quinn, and her aunt Barbara Shelley.

Memorial service will occur at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Getz Funeral Home. A reception will follow at St. Genevive Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, Nora requested that donations be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice and Palliative Care in recognition of the good and important work performed there.