Ruth Elaine Thompson

Thompson, Ruth Elaine
of Scottsdale, passed away January 3, 2011, at the age of 91. The youngest of eight children, she was born on Dec. 30, 1919 in Pana, Illinois to Anna and Martin Luther Clark. After her father's death, the family moved to Decatur, Illinois where Ruth later distinguished herself by becoming the first WWII WAVE from that city. It was in the Navy that she learned photography. She married William Thompson of Ohio and moved with him to Detroit, and later to Phoenix where Ruth established her business, Ruth Thompson Originals, featuring her woodcarvings of Arizona birds. After her husband's death in 1973, her lifeline was her membership in Soroptimists International, especially the support of fellow Soroptimist Lucette Rojeck, now deceased. Ruth became part of the Rojeck family in Scottsdale for more than thirty years, until health issues in May 2010 took her to Extended Family Living in Mesa, where she was well-cared for until her passing. Ruth will be greatly missed by all who knew her for her humor, her wonderful bird carvings, sculpture and other art, her cooking and fun-loving and generous spirit. She will especially be missed by the Barber, Rojeck, Pennachio, LoCicero and Kaufman families, friend Eileen Duffy, neighbors, the caregivers from Visiting Angels and the staff and fellow residents at Extended Family Living. A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, 85251.