Thianesia Gaskins as she would say, was not from “here.” She left us and returned to where she is from on April 22, 2021. She was 66 years old. Born in San Francisco, CA to proud parents Maymie (Weems) Thornton and the late Ernest Thornton, Thianesia was the second oldest of four children, Bianca Lippitt (Stanley, predeceased), Lineal Thornton (predeceased, Mable Dolores), and Beth Aleta Williams. Her mother often described her as a beautiful, quiet child who asked a lot of questions, and loved math. She was multi-talented, one of those people who was good at everything. She loved to study. She drew, painted, sculpted clay, ceramics and wood, knitted, crocheted, and sewed. She was a kickball champion. By high school, after the tradition of her mother who loved making mini-dresses for her to show off her legs, she began to design and sew her own clothes. This, she did while also playing piano, violin and viola. Later, you’d never seen anyone “pop” collars until you’d seen her “pop” hers as a finishing touch to her “I’m ready” to go out and kick it outfit.
In her early 20s, Thianesia attended Tacoma Community College, where she played post on the women’s basketball team. At 5’ 8” and big bodied, she was strong, and could rebound well. She later transferred to Washington State University (WSU, WAZZU), where she graduated as a double major with a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), and a Bachelor of Science (Materials Science and Engineering), and was a consummate civil rights activist. Her children grew up on WAZZU campus, as the few Black children in an overwhelmingly White college town. Thianesia often discovered second-hand their lived experiences on her college campus, when she was alerted by others that eg, her red-headed freckle-faced son was sitting in on her classes, or schooling men in basketball at the gyms or when her 8 and 5 year old daughters were lifting weights in the weight room (after seeing her do it), or when these same girls were playing in the stairwell of the Science and Engineering Library, where she worked part-time. When she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Chapter Vice President, 1982-83, Chapter President, 1983-84), the children “pledged” too, as children do. They sported “My mom is a Delta” t-shirts. There are fond memories of her kids rollerskating around a college classroom while sorors met and rehearsed.
She completed coursework and was all but thesis (ABT) for a Master’s degree (Sociology, WSU) before moving her family to Las Vegas, NV, where she also began work as a TSA agent. She often mentioned that she liked this work. One of her biggest passions, however, was helping teach and tutor young people. For example, she founded BALANCES (Beautiful, Ambitious, Ladies, Able to Negotiate their Commitment to Excellence and Self-Esteem) in Seattle, WA to help young minoritized girls. “Thirst for knowledge,” was a note left many a time on the pillows of her own children. Her children’s high school days were spent with her working on fractal geometry problems. Her eyes were set on completing a doctorate and attaining the high honor of Nobel Laureate. And yet, her artistry too was ever present. She loved, crocheted and knitted beautiful dolls. Qonnesia, a childhood doll she made for her oldest girl, is still beautiful, ready to be handed to the next generation.
Thianesia was an avid storyteller, the kind where you couldn’t tell what was true, because of elaborate embellishments. Turns out, there was truth in many of these stories. Still, it wasn’t all fun and games. There were many difficult experiences. Our relationships with her were as complicated as her relationship with herself, her body, her mind and we loved her, wherever we were. We humored each other and “clowned.” We sought to improve for the next generation. We too have stories to tell. Though not embellished, our stories might make some question their veracity too. Above all, we are sharing this small “see you later” narrative of her, because it is a story that needs to be told. Her story needs to be heard. Thank you for being in our lives Mom.
Thianesia leaves behind her three adult children, Ronald Gaskins, Jr. (Teresa), Ronnesia Gaskins, and Frieda Fairman (Jamal), seven grandchildren, including Guanni K’laun Greene and Imanni-Amor Greene, her mother and sister, and many extended family members, including her cousin Barbara Weems, as well as a rich legacy.
Virtual memorial services will be held on June 6, 2021 at 5:15 pm Pacific Time:
https://zoom.us/j/94496262485?pwd=QkFCZ2pSWVkyT2lQeWYwZlNBc0xUUT09
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the memorial educational scholarship fund that is being set up in her name and honor. Details for the scholarship fund will published at a later date.