Jayne Thomas Becomes Grand Life Master

Jayne Thomas, Executive Manager of Unit 128, became the 42nd Floridian to achieve the rank of ACBL Grand Life Master on the last round of the last day of the January Orlando Regional. [see www.acbl.org, under "information", to read about Grand Life Master status]

Her next session of bridge was a club game at her local Tampa Bay Bridge Center, where Jayne is known for her generosity (home-cooked goodies, not gifts at the bridge table).  Besides cooking for her non-bridge partner Sue, and for family, friends, neighbors and other bridge players, Jayne enjoys fishing, reading, shopping for bargains and gambling.
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Unit 128's tournaments are successful to a great degree due to Jayne’s hard work in running them.  If you could see her negotiating with hotel staff (and frequently cajoling them into giving good service), shopping the farmer's market, Sam's Club, the Dollar store, Home Shopping Network outlet and the web, hustling along the serving of the late-night snacks (or serving them herself) and training the volunteers for the Senior Breakfasts, you'd be truly impressed… and you would be witnessing some of the skills she uses to do well at the bridge table.  KUDOS and MANY THANKS to Jayne Thomas.

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We asked Jayne to tell us a little bit about her life and here's what she emailed back to
us -- we hope you enjoy getting to know Jayne a bit better from her autobiographical notes:

Born November 23, 1931 in Akron, Ohio. Spent summers and other vacations in Kentucky and West Virginia where I learned to play bridge while filling in for the adult who had chores. Won a war bond in 1942.

Moved to St Petersburg, Fl. 1944. Loved writing short stories and poetry, (Once memorized 100 poems on a dare from a teacher who offered an A for the year.  She was not happy.)

Attended University of Florida (1949-1953) majoring in math, only female in classes (it had turned coed the year before.) Began teaching in Tampa in 1953. Taught mostly high school, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus - for 30 years.

Started playing both rubber bridge every day after school and duplicate whenever I could get away.

Began working with Jeff Glick on administration in the late 70's, retired from teaching in 1986 and started working as executive manager Unit 128.

Was a member of the National Board of Directors for twelve (12) years. Served as president and vice-president of both the Education and Charity Foundations (currently President ACBL Charity Foundation).

Have served as president of both Unit 128 and District 9. Goodwill member and Charity member.

Won the Silver Ribbon Pairs with Virgil Anderson in 1994 and was second in a National Women’s Pairs.

My favorite bridge partners include Virgil Anderson, Muriel Altus, Linda Perlman, Steve Warner, Joan Gerard, Barbara Nudelman and many, many others.

Thank you all. Bridge is a partnership like no other.