Search by Name
Search by Name
Margaret Ann Thompson Sept. 28, 1916 - Nov. 10, 2016
Margaret Ann Thompson died
November 10, 2016, just over a month after celebrating her 100th birthday in Stockton with a
dinner for her extended family of
fifty and at an afternoon party at Oconnor Woods for many fellow
residents and local friends.
Now, we bid a fond farewell to our
favorite world traveler, gracious
hostess, generous philanthropist, loyal friend, and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother: Margaret Ann Wiese Thompson. Born to Margaret Ann Chambers Wiese and Arthur John Wiese in Portland, Oregon, on September 28, 1916. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas S Thompson.
Margaret attended St. Stephen's School, St. Mary's Academy, and Marylhurst College in the Portland area, just beginning her
life-long commitment as a Catholic. Because her mother thought the University of Oregon was too wild for her daughter, Margaret entered Oregon State University in Corvalis, graduating with a major in Home Economics. Teaching at Florence High School in the coastal town of Florence, OR, she met and married Principal Thomas S. Thompson, in 1941.
Margaret was a gracious and equal partner with her husband in his career as a college administrator at Lewis and Clark College in Portland; Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Knox
College in Galesburg, IL; coming to the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA from 1963-1969; Morningside College in Iowa, where Tommy served as college president until l978, when they retired to Stockton.
Margaret was involved in community activities both in the
Midwest and in Stockton: the League of Women Voters, AAUW,
St. Joseph's Hospital Auxilary, among others. She has been a PEO member for the past forty-five years.
She and Tommy traveled extensively in the United States and
internationally: Alaska, Hawaii, Panama, the Caribbean, several trips to Europe including taking their entire extended family to the wedding in Ireland of her Grandson David Thompson. She spent winter months in Palm Desert with her husband and friends for more than fifteen years, where she was known for her Super Bowl Parties. Later, she planned outings of thirty plus family members to Ireland, Alaska, Hawaii, and Palm Desert for
vacations and family celebrations. She was an active and generous supporter of private education, including Portland's St.
Mary's Academy, University of Portland, Pacific University in
Forest Grove, OR, and Morningside College.
Her pastimes included crossword puzzles, reading and book discussion groups, politicsalways a vocal and ardent liberalgolf, travel, family, as well as a Stockton Symphony supporter and
regular performance goer for over 30 years. Deeply involved in bridge during most of her lifeshe was a winner!
Upon the death of Tommy, her husband of fifty-eight years, she moved to O'Connor Woods, where she has been enthusiastically involved since 2000: hosting parties, playing bridge four times a week, taking classes, serving on committees, and visiting with friends.
All her life, Margaret remained a good and loyal friend to people she had met across the US in various college towns, as well as on military bases during the WWII and the Korean War. Although her Christmas card list dwindled in recent years, she kept in touch with friends made over the past seventy years.
Known by her friends as a gracious hostess, a style-setter, an
outgoing and caring person, she leaves dozens of longtime friends all over the United States, but especially at O'Connor Woods. She will be missed by many in the community and
remembered fondly as a vibrant, active, involved and feisty friend. Her sense of humora little Irish blarneyand positive attitude endeared her to many.
Most importantly, she is the loving, caring AND beloved matriarch of a large familyall now located on the west coast: sons Roger with his wife Marlene of Hillsboro, OR and Tom and his wife Sue of San Rafael, CA; daughters Pam Class and her husband Ken of Stockton and Mary Ann Babar and her husband Azam of Hockinson, WA.
Gram is dearly loved by her grandchildren: Roger II, Debbie,
David, Clodagh, Dina, Justin, JJ, Patrick, Ethan, Chelsea,
Lindsay, Anisa, Amanna, Kevin, Emily; her great grandchildren:
Allie, Katie, Ciaragh, Anika, Conor, Calvin, Theo, Phoenix, Maya, Tiana, Linda, Ashley, Kathy, Michelle, Aryanna, David, Kayla,
Michael, Claudia, Luke, Kate, Sean, Jennifer, Scott, Melina, Kristen, Katie, and Owen. She was also a much loved Aunt
Margaret to many nieces and nephews.
Clodagh Thompson wrote this tribute to Gram on her 90th
birthday. "It seems to me that God has gifted Gram with a long life so she can remain an excellent role model for us all. I hope to cherish spouse, family, and faith as much as she does and to live my life gaining inspiration and motivation from her ways. May her American spirit of living life to the full and her Irish spirit of rising above any hardships or obstacles always remain strong."
We who know and love her see her as an inspiration and can only hope to follow in her footsteps.
We wish to thank all the staff of O'Conoor Woods for their care these past 16 years, as well as her caregivers Ashley Reoliquio and Neng Yang. Contributions may be made in her honor to the O'Connor Woods Assistance Fund, St. Mary's Dining Room, the Stockton Symphony.
A funeral Mass and burial will take place in Portland, OR.
No services are planned for Stockton.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
I miss you so much Mrs T!! Thank you for everything and i will surely cherish every moments we had together.. Love you dearly!
ashley maraggun
August 14, 2017
Condolences to the Thompson/Wiese families on this sad loss of Margaret. Prayers for all who are now grieving.
Sincerely, Patsy Gix Hunt
Patsy Hunt
November 17, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Debra Giannini
November 16, 2016
Farewell to a great aunt and a lot of fun memories and gatherings with her and her family who are my cousins and my wonderful grandparents who raised her. The memories go back to my childhood and will be forever remembered as to how lucky you are to have been part of this sort of family.
Chuck Wiese
November 15, 2016
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
Funeral services provided by:
Zeller Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home2107 NE BROADWAY ST, Portland, OR 97232
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more