Olive Thomas - Funeral and Legacy

Funeral and Legacy

Pickford brought her body back to the United States. Several accounts state Pickford tried to commit suicide en route but was talked out of it. According to Mary Pickford's autobiography, "Jack crossed the ocean with Ollie's body. It wasn't until several years later that he confessed to Mother how one night during the voyage back he put on his trousers and jacket over his pajamas, went up on deck, and was climbing over the rail when something inside him said: 'You can't do this to your mother and sisters. It would be a cowardly act. You must live and face the future.'"

On September 29, 1920, an Episcopal funeral service was held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York for Thomas. According to the New York Times a police escort was needed, and the entire church was jammed. Several women fainted at the ceremony, and several men had their hats crushed in the rush to view the coffin. Thomas was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx, New York. Her effects were later sold off for her estate on November 20, 1920. The sale netted $26,931, with Mabel Normand and Lewis Selznick buying several items.