Solveig Thomson Ph.D.

1928 - 2016

Solveig Thomson, PhD

Solveig Harriet Thomson: a truly remarkable woman. Born June 13, 1928 to parents Sigmund and Solveig Ivarsson, she was predeceased by her parents as well as brothers, Arnold Ivarsson and Karl Ivarsson. She was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Solveig passed away peacefully on June 2, 2016, leaving two sons; Greg Thomson and his wife Val, Neil Thomson and his wife Gail, their two children, Leah and Noah, her sister Karol Green, and many nieces and nephews.

Solveig's love of life will always be remembered and treasured by those who knew and loved her. Her adventurous spirit, inquisitive nature and joy of everything outdoors knew no bounds. She was quick to laugh, with an infectious spirit that was second only to her endless generosity and kindness. Open-minded by nature, she enjoyed encouraging others to share their own thoughts and beliefs.

Solveig grew up in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle and graduated from Garfield High School in 1946. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor's in Journalism in 1950, returned to the University later in life to earn her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1969, then continued on to enjoy a rewarding practice for many years. She was a huge fan of the Washington Huskies football team and a lifetime member of the Seattle Tennis Club. She was a gifted athlete excelling at tennis and winning numerous tournaments including the Washington State Women's 18 Singles Championship in 1946.

Solveig traveled the four corners of the world and loved to share stories of her travels with her family. She was an avid skier and spent considerable time skiing down the slopes at Sun Valley, Idaho. She found great enjoyment in Dixieland Jazz music, a passion she pursued in her retirement years and was a member of the Puget Sound Traditional Jazz Society for over 40 years. She particularly enjoyed listening and dancing to the music at the Sun Valley and Friday Harbor Jazz Festivals, both favorite annual events.

She belonged to the Mountaineers as well as the Ancient Skiers Association. Solveig also loved hiking and going camping with her family and friends. Her sons fondly recall memories of their backpacking trips to the North Cascades and across the Olympic Mountains and many more trips with their mom and dad, Stuart Thomson (deceased).

All who knew and loved Solveig were fortunate to have met such a uniquely spirited woman. She will be dearly missed but she will live on in our memories.

A celebration of Solveig's life will be announced at a later date.