Althea Rae Hyde "Thea"

Althea Rae “Thea” Hyde, 73, of Key West, FL, longtime resident of Westmont and Haddonfield, NJ, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020, at the home of her sister in Rio, WV.

Thea was born on October 21, 1947 in Camden, NJ, a daughter of the late Wayne Everette Hurd and Althea Rae Hurd (nee Kinkade). She was a High School History teacher for over 38 years, of which 37 years were in Haddon Township High School, NJ, the school from which she also graduated. Thea was in the first graduating class of 1965. She graduated from Upsala College in East Orange, NJ in 1969. She was a member of Westmont United Methodist Church and its choir for many years since childhood.

After retirement from teaching, Thea joined the Peace Corps from 2007-2009 and taught English at the University of Almaty in Kazakhstan. She loved traveling, was an avid cat lover, but music was her soul. Thea sang in multiple choirs and chorales.

Moving to Key West in 2011, she was a member of the Key West United Methodist Church and its choir. She was a member of The Keys chorale.

Surviving are her brother and sister: Michael Wayne Hurd, Sr. (Myra) of Grenloch, NJ; JacLynne Esther Hurd Frister (Walter) of Rio, WV; a nephew: Michael Wayne Hurd, Jr. of Grenloch, NJ (Marie) and two great nephews and a great-niece: Michael, Jacob, and Lilly Grace.

Relatives and Friends are invited to attend her Visitation, Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 11 to 12pm, followed by her Celebration of Life 12 noon at WESTMONT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 200 Emerald Ave., Westmont, NJ 08108.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Westmont Fire Co. No. 1, 120 Haddon Ave., Westmont, NJ 08108 or Homeward Bound, 125 County House Rd, Blackwood, NJ 08012.

To view Thea's Memorial Service online, please "like" Westmont United Methodist Church on Facebook and log in shortly before 12 noon, the service will become Live when they are ready to begin.