The divine liturgy was celebrated Oct. 14 at St. Sophia Ukranian Orthodox Church in Bayonne for Nina Thomas, 55. She passed away Oct. 9 surrounded by her family. Nina was born in Jersey City and has resided in Scotch Plains since 1989. She was employed by the Jersey City Board of Education as an elementary teacher in School 24 for the past 28 years and was a past recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award. Nina is survived by her husband Arthur Thomas Jr. She was the mother of Stephanie Thomas and Arthur Thomas III; daughter of Anna (nee Bilous) and Dmytro Kakasenko; sister of Victor and Lydia Kakasenko. Services arranged by the McLaughlin Funeral Home, Jersey City.