Vanona E. "Noni" Thompson

TRAVERSE CITY — Vanona E. "Noni" Thompson, 84, of Traverse City, died Sunday morning, Sept. 28, 2008, at Grand Traverse Pavilions, surrounded by her loving family.

Born Dec. 1, 1923, in Flint, she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Elizabeth (Sach) Harvey.

Noni and her husband, Ken Carter, raised their family in St. Helen, where they lived a full life mixed with strong Christian values and committed devotion to their family and community.

Together they were founding members of St. Helen Community Baptist Church, as well as longtime members of the Roscommon Masonic Lodge.

She served as Branch Manager for the Secretary of State for Emmet and Roscommon Counties for over 20 years. After deciding that retirement wasn't quite ready for her, she took a position as a secretary for the Grand Traverse Soil and Water Conservation District. It was there that the Board Members and fellow employees soon discovered not only her talent in office procedures, but her additional gift for baking zucchini bread and various kinds of pie.

In her spare time she enjoyed golfing, volunteering with Munson Medical Center Auxiliary, working at the election polls and special time with friends, including her best friend, Dolly Freeman. She always had a basket of yarn next to her favorite chair and would knit baby caps for the newborns and preemies at Munson Medical Center.

Noni was a true "mom" who always had time for her daughters. She enjoyed volunteering and participating with them in the Brownies, Girl Scouts, 4-H and class trips. Her commitment continued to her grandchildren as she never missed an opportunity to support them in their various activities, with sporting events among her favorite.

Noni was very proud of her daughters and grandchildren and their many accomplishments in life. She will be truly missed.

Noni is survived by her daughters, Ann Eckerly and Nancy (Steve) Rollo, all of Traverse City; four grandchildren, Jason (fiancée, Erika Jackson) Eckerly of Chicago, Matthew (Audrey) Eckerly of Grand Rapids, Amanda Rollo and Jesse (Christina) Rollo; and two great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Alayni, all from Traverse City; sister-in-law, Jane Harvey of Flint; and nephew, Brad Harvey of Boise, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Carter; her only brother, Robert Harvey; and a nephew, Robert Harvey Jr.

An Eastern Star service followed by a memorial service will be held at Central United Methodist Church on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. The O.E.S. Chapter #147 and the Rev. Tamara Williams will officiate. Following cremation, her cremated remains will be inurned in the church columnbarium.

In honor of her wishes, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Grand Traverse Conservation's - Boardman River Nature Center or to the Cherry Unit of Grand Traverse Pavilions. Envelopes may be obtained at the church.

The family wishes to thank the Grand Traverse Pavilions "family" for their loving care and guidance during Noni's stay. It is true there are angels among us. Their thoughtfulness and respect are greatly appreciated and will never, ever be forgotten.

Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.