Dorothy Pendleton Thompson

Dorothy Pendleton Thompson was born on March 2, 1924, in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Dr. George Porter Pendleton and Hulda Sophia Anderson Pendleton. Raised with her brother, Dr. George Pendleton, Jr., in West Springfield, Massachusetts in a loving family, Dottie retained a bond with the East Coast throughout her entire life. As a child, she and her family vacationed in Damariscotta, Maine, where she loved eating every morsel of lobsters, canoeing and trout fishing with her father and taking long walks in the woods. Nature stirred Dottie at her deepest levels and much of her time, including birding, cycling, golfing and hiking well into her 80's, was spent exploring and reveling in the spirituality and beauty of the outdoors. Dottie was gracious, loving and steadfast in her dedication to the people and things she cared about. She was remarkable for her compassionate character, adventurous spirit, wide-ranging interests, grace, style and broad perspective. Dottie's joyful and supportive nature was a gift to all who were fortunate to know her. A humble person, she never thought her talents and skills were extraordinary, despite them being so. Above all, Dottie was a very beloved wife, mother, grand and great grandmother. Dottie graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music and excelled as a pianist and vocalist, talents she used throughout her life. After graduating, she worked at the YWCA as a youth leader before marrying her college sweetheart, Richard William Thompson. In 1946, at the age of 22, and six months after she and Richard were married, the newlyweds embarked on a four year commitment with the then Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the Philippine Islands. Crossing the continental U.S. by train and then the Pacific Ocean by troop ship, they arrived in Cebu, Philippines, where she and Richard taught and helped rebuild the lives of the Filipino people after the devastation of World War II. When their commitment ended, Dottie, Richard and their 18 month old daughter, Sally, travelled back to the United States, completing their trip around the world. During the next 20 years, she, Richard and their three children lived in Winnebago, Minnesota, where David and Mary Jo were born; East Grand Forks, Minnesota and Jamestown, North Dakota, as a part of the Presbyterian Church community. Dottie used her talent and love of music as a choir director, piano teacher, hand bell director and vocalist. The last 45 years of her life were based in Oklahoma City. There, she returned to school at the age of 50 to receive her Masters in Early Childhood Development and Montessori Training, and enjoyed her new career in that field. During her later years, they wintered in Mercedes, Texas, where she continued her avid birding activities and volunteered at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. In every place she lived, Dottie developed lifelong friendships and was a supporter of women's rights, equality, education, and the environment. Dottie is survived by her loving husband, Rev. Richard William Thompson; children, Sally Thompson, David (Nonnie) Thompson and Mary Jo Thompson Butler; grandchildren, Wyatt (Jenna) Neumann and Cora (Andras) Neumann Rosner, Jennie and Katherine Bartlett, Annie (Brandon) Thompson Heuscher and William and Angela Thompson-Butler and great grandchildren, Takota and Stella Neumann and Timea and Levi Rosner. The memorial service will be held Monday, November 25, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Mayflower Congregational Church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Philippine Relief Fund at www.cwsglobal.org/ or checks can be mailed to the Indian Nations Presbytery, 1001 NW 25th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73106, account # DR000012 Philippine Typhoon Fund. Thank you.