Katherine Jeanne Thompson

Katherine Jeanne Thompson October 9, 1920 - October 14, 2015 Katherine Jeanne Thompson of Waco passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center in Waco. Her memorial service will be held 4:00 p.m., Monday, October 19, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, October 18, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Jeanne was born October 9, 1920, to Samuel P. and Katherine Pollock Moyer in Lawrence, Kansas. She was the eldest of their four daughters, which included Ida Frances, Margaret, and Patricia. Jeanne graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in music, and later earned her MA in counseling from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Her education career in Waco included teaching elementary choral music, sixth grade, gifted and talented, counseling at Richfield High School and serving as principal of the first Alternative High School in WISD. She retired from the Waco school district in 1980 after 30 plus years of service. Jeanne was a 50-year charter member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a service organization for women educators. Through the years she held many offices in her local chapter, Eta Sigma. Jeanne married Lt. William Donald Tommy Thompson, Jr., on July 4, 1942, at Fort Monroe, Virginia, prior to his deployment overseas during WWII. Upon his return three years later Jeanne helped her husband pursue his graduate degree at University of Kansas. Their union was blessed with four children, Anne Marie, Katherine Taddie, Margaret and Harry Delano. The family lived in Yellow Springs, Ohio, for some years and later moved to Waco in 1953, where Dr. Thompson later became Chairman of the Psychology Department at Baylor University. Dr. Thompson passed away suddenly in 1979. Some years later, Jeanne moved to Stilwell Residence in Waco. Jeanne loved both vocal and instrumental music of all kinds and possessed a lovely singing voice. She sang for many years in the St. Paul's Episcopal Church choir under the direction of Dean Sternberg and later, Dr. Robert Young. She was also a talented pianist and served for some years as choir director at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. At four years old, Jeanne learned how to quilt, and devoted much of her later life to quilting. She made beautiful quilts for her family and friends to mark special events such as weddings and babies' births. Each year she made a lovely quilt that she donated to Stilwell Teacher's Residence to be raffled for raising funds for Stilwell. Jeanne enjoyed traveling both in the US and in Europe in her later years. Gardening and watching Atlanta Braves baseball games were other interests she pursued as well. She served in many volunteer capacities after her retirement, some of which included CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates, Docent at the Mayborn Museum, and the Residents' Council at Stilwell. Together with her husband, Jeanne served as sponsor of the Baylor University chapter of Episcopal Canterbury House, a church outreach for college students attending Baylor University. She cooked dinner every Sunday night for these students and hosted them in the Thompson home for many years. In addition, she served as a Meals on Wheels volunteer and as a member of the Altar Guild and the Vestry at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her parents; her granddaughter, Jenny Calvert; son-in-law, Tony Kelly; and sisters, Margaret and Ida Frances. Mrs. Thompson is survived by her sister, Patricia Steeper-Karl of California and her children, Scott, Janet, and Paula Steeper; and by nephews, Galen and Lloyd Hekhuis. Jeanne is also survived by four children, Harry Thompson and wife, Kit, of Robinson, Margaret Shelby and husband, Steve, of Roswell, Georgia, Dr. Katherine Taddie Kelly of Mart, and Anne Marie Lamb and husband, Richard, of Augusta, Georgia. Jeanne's grandchildren include, Josh Calvert and wife, Calli, of Keller, Jacque Harris and husband, Trent, of Waco, Jessica Calvert of Waco, and Cynthia Rondeau and husband, Stace, of Toccoa, Georgia. Additionally, there are nine great grandchildren, Ryley Calvert, JP Rondeau, Paul Glaze, Katherine Keller and husband, John, Allison Abraham and husband, Vince, and Hudson, Heath, Hayden and Hunter Harris. Jeanne is also survived by three great great grandchildren, Rowan and Lily Abraham and Alyson Keller. Mrs. Thompson suffered from Alzheimer's for many years. During that time, she was blessed with many wonderful caregivers. These included Jan, Mary, Latricia, Gloria, Debbie, and others too numerous to name. Jeanne was also blessed to reside at Stilwell Teachers Residence for many years, where kind and helpful staff was always available and very willing to assist whenever she needed help. Her final move to Wesley Woods Center was difficult for her, but was made so much better by the kind and professional staff at that facility. Jeanne's final days were brightened by the wonderful care and attention given to her by SouthernCare Hospice, especially Chaplain Sarah, Catherine, Cynthia, and Pilar. We are immensely grateful for everyone who helped brighten Jeanne's life at the end of her long journey. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Day School, 517 Columbus, Waco, 76701; Stilwell Residence, 5400 Laurel Lake, Waco, 76710; or to the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.