Shirley E. Thompson's Obituary
Shirley (Ellis) Thompson was born in Chicago on May 26, 1922 to Bernard Ellis & Elizabeth (Tennant) Ellis. A few years later 2 brothers, Murray and Morton Ellis were born. Shirley graduated from Chicago's Englewood Hospital School of Nursing-1943. At a USO dance that year, she met Robert J Thompson, who was serving in
the US Army Air Corps. It was love at first sight & they married 2 months later, before he deployed. During WWII, they wrote letters every day!
Returning from WWII, the newlyweds settled in Seattle, where Shirley gave birth to Pam & later twin boys, David & Drew. Bob completed his college education in Michigan & welcomed child #4, Rebecca. Bob moved his family to Parkland, WA, after accepting a teaching position at Pacific Lutheran College. The family lived on campus in faculty housing. One night, returning after rehearsal with the Seattle Bagpipe Band, Bob fell asleep at the wheel & hit a parked car. One week later, Shirley became a widow. Required to move from faculty housing, Shirley designed a home & Bob's students & PLC faculty built a 2-story, 4 bedroom house a few blocks from campus. Shirley operated a day care from her new home. During summers she was employed as a camp nurse in Oregon, where her 3 oldest children were campers.
Shirley earned her Bachelor of Nursing from PLU in 1971. She moved to Lacey, WA, working as the nurse for Continental Can Company. Later, she signed on with Thurston County Health Dept. After retiring, Shirley moved to Panorama City, where Essie Faris, her dear friend since 1945, resided.
Shirley's accomplishments: Past President of Capital City Nurse's Assoc, Past President & Past Council Chairperson for International Toastmistress Clubs, member of Olympia Handweavers Guild & Handweavers Guild of America. She volunteered at Senior Center, polls for elections, Panorama craft store, and disability equipment closet.
Shirley completed a 7ft X 3ft woven banner for Washington's Centennial celebration, which hangs in Olympia's Capitol rotunda. Shirley’s legacy includes
4 children, 7 grandchildren, 21 great-grands & one great-great grandchild. Her departure from this earth was peaceful on Sept. 19, 2020.
On 10-16-2020, 2:00pm a chapel service will be held at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood, WA, followed by a graveside memorial. All of Shirley Thompson's family, friends, care-givers & colleagues are welcome & encouraged to attend. Please follow COVID-19 rules, remembering that face masks are required indoors & outdoors.
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