Shirley Laverne Thompson

1938 - 2021

Groton - Shirley Laverne Thompson went to be with her loving Savior Monday evening March 1, 2021, at the Groton Regency Long Term Care Facility in Groton. She was born in Hot Springs, Ark. June 23, 1938, to Earl and Myrtle Croft.

She is survived by her sister Wanda Hildreth of Murrieta, Calif.; her sons, Tommy Thompson, and his wife Kris of Gansevoort, N.Y. and Michael Thompson, and his wife Linda Sue of Mystic. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Tommy and his wife Melanie, Tyler, Kenny, Christopher and Mallory; and many wonderful nephews and nieces, all of whom she loved very much.

She was predeceased by her husband Edward W. Thompson of Stillwater N.Y; her son Raymond L. Thompson of Clifton Park, N.Y.; her parents, Earl and Myrtle Croft, of Jacksonville, Ark.; her brothers, John Croft, Don Croft, Jack Croft and Leon Croft of Jacksonville, Ark.; and her sister Lovine Bates, of Mabelvale, Ark.

Mom (Shirley) settled in Stillwater, N.Y. in 1975, after moving all over the country with our dad who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. Mom moved to Groton in 2000, and worked at the Groton Sub Base Commissary until she retired in 2011. Mom loved her job and her friends at work.

Mom cherished her sons and daughters-in-law, and she adored her grandchildren. They were her pride and joy, and she loved spending time with them. Anyone who knew Mom loved her, because she was the sweetest person you would ever want to meet. Mom enjoyed a good laugh and was fun to be with and always made you know how much you were loved. She loved to sing and dance and was a killer Yahtzee player always ready to take you on. She was a member of the Groton Church of Christ on Route 12 in Groton and loved to fellowship there.

Exactly how wonderful our mother was is just not possible to put into words. We were so blessed.

The family would like to thank everyone at Groton Regency who cared for her and were so kind to her and our family - "You are all heroes to us, thank you." Thanks to our church family for their kindness and prayers. A heartfelt thanks to Deborah Ranquist of Gales Ferry. Deb came to us as a caretaker for Mom before she went into the nursing home. After Mom had to go to the nursing home, Deb continued to visit Mom every day for nearly six years. She may have started as a caretaker, but quickly became a cherished friend and family member always looking out for Mom and keeping her smiling and upbeat.

A graveside service will be held for Mom at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic. There are no calling hours. Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington Street, New London, assisted with the arrangements. Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley's name may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005; the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.