Obituary of Mary Kathryn Thompson

Mary Kathryn “Kathy” Thompson’s Obituary

August 24, 1949 – August 14, 2023

Morrison, Colorado

On Monday afternoon August 14, 2023, Kathy Thompson entered Heaven the way she lived her life, with incredible bravery, poise, compassion, peacefulness, and grace.  Her husband and daughters were by her side.

Kathy was born on August 24, 1949, in DuBois, Pennsylvania, grew up in a military family, moving with her family around the U.S. and Germany.  Her mother, Louise was a schoolteacher.  The family eventually settled in Glen Burnie, Maryland.  A year after high school graduation Kathy met a young Army soldier, from Colorado, on the beach in Ocean City Maryland.  It was love at first sight for them both.  A year later Kathy and Tom were married and moved to Colorado to live for the next fifty-three plus years.  In 1976 and 1978, Kathy gave birth to two wonderful daughters, Bree and Andrea, who also live in Colorado.

Kathy loved Colorado.  She initially worked as secretary to the Dean of Social Sciences at Colorado State University and started taking classes while her husband Tom finished graduate school. Then they moved to the Morrison, Colorado, area where they have lived ever since, building, and occupying three homes along the way.  Kathy was hired as secretary to the Director of the Colorado History Museum, her favorite job of all.  She was always interested in history, a perfect match.  In addition to her secretary duties, she would take historical items to schools and give talks to children about Colorado’s history.  Eventually, Kathy left her perfect job to give birth and be home with her daughters.  After a few years, Kathy went back to work, first with Manville Corporation and then Lockheed Martin as a legal secretary.  While working, she continued her education and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Regis University in 1986 with a degree in business and a minor in world religions.  After receiving her degree, Kathy was promoted to Contracts Administrator at Lockheed Martin where she stayed until her retirement in 2005. Two years later Tom retired, and they pursued their favorite activities full time, primarily traveling internationally, scuba diving, biking, rafting, and hiking mostly in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.  Kathy loved the water whether at an ocean or on a river.  She also loved reading books, especially classics and history.  And through the years, Kathy cared for and loved every one of her pets, mostly poodle mixes.  Kathy and Tom have also been active members of Unity of the Foothills in Evergreen, CO.

In 2012, Kathy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  Even though Kathy and Tom were able to continue most of their favorite activities, Kathy’s condition gradually worsened. In 2020, COVID along with her condition made travel and hikes difficult.  However, in spite of her diagnosis, Kathy remained happy and maintained much of her cognitive abilities, knowing her family and friends and what was going on, right up to the end.  Kathy understood Alzheimer’s and what that meant for her throughout her illness, but she never once complained, never became bitter, never blamed God or anyone else.  And she never stopped enjoying the outdoors, laughing with friends and family, going for ice cream, or watching children play in the park, and especially dancing.  She radiated grace and incredible courage.  Everyone always loved Kathy and our love and admiration for her only deepened.

Kathy is survived by her husband Tom, daughters Bree and Andrea, granddaughter Solvi, son-in-law Chad, sister Cindy O’Connell, brother Jim Giddings, and by aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and too many friends to count.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial and celebration of Kathy’s life at 3 P.M. on September 3rd, 2023, at Colorow Cave in Willowbrook, located in her wonderful neighborhood for nearly forty years.