Thelma Negley

Born in New York City, Thelma grew up as a “Broadway Baby,” loving the theater. Thelma and her husband, Bud, have invested in several musicals with Broadway or off Broadway aspirations. Their production of “Closer Than Ever” won an Off Broadway Alliance Award. They are both thrilled at the prospect of an exciting new theater in Naples.

Thelma earned her Bachelor’s Degree at St. Louis University and Kean University, earning membership in Phi Kappa Phi honor society. While living in New Jersey, Thelma founded Safe Rides, which gave high school students in three towns “no questions asked” rides home and sponsored speakers in the high schools to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving. Thelma also founded Friends of Fosterfields, a volunteer organization supporting a living historic farm and mansion, originally owned by the grandson of Paul Revere.

Thelma has served on the boards of many volunteer organizations. Presently, she is the Vice Chargée de Presse of the Châine des Rotisseurs, a culinary organization. One of Thelma’s passions is food and she has taught cooking classes in many venues. Her mentor, Annemarie Huste, and herself coauthored “To The Good Life,” a cookbook on entertaining. Thelma also produced a fund-raising cookbook for The Junior League of Morristown, “A Matter of Taste.”