95-year-old Rita Thomas was forced to isolate alongside her fellow nursing home residents amid the pandemic. Without the ability to see her loved ones or socialize with others, her health quickly declined. Eventually, she lost the will to carry on. TAMPA, Fla. – At her 95th birthday party in February of 2020, Rita Thomas was all smiles. Her daughter, Nan Thomas, said it was a perfectly executed surprise for her mother, as about 30 of her closest friends showed up to celebrate the big day. But, if every single one of Rita’s friends had arrived, 30 seats would not have even come close to cutting it.