Dora G. Thompson

THOMPSON, Mrs. Dora G.
Kalamazoo, MI Died Monday evening February 1, 2010 at Friendship Village Health Center. Dora was born October 30, 1919 in Lansing, Michigan a daughter of Charles and Hazel Hayden Gower. A graduate of Michigan State University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, where she made many lifelong friends and the Kalamazoo School of Occupational Therapy now, Occupational Therapy School of Western Michigan University. She was a Registered Occupational Therapist. Following her graduation from the Kalamazoo School of Occupational Therapy, she was worked at various hospitals during World War II, including Bushnell General Hospital in Brigham City, Utah. While there she had the privilege of assisting Helen Keller on a tour of the hospital. In 1946 she returned to Kalamazoo joining the faculty of the Occupational Therapy School of Western Michigan University. Later she continued to use her "OT" skills by volunteering with various organizations; including the Kalamazoo Public Schools assisting children with learning disabilities and the Kalamazoo Nature Center and the Weavers Guild with wool spinning demonstrations. On August 9, 1947 she was united in marriage to John L. Thompson. John and Dora remained in Kalamazoo raising their family; Dora had been a resident of Friendship Village for the past two years. John and Dora were also charter members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, John L. Thompson in 1990. She is survived by 2 sons, James Debra Thompson of Portage and Robert Sharon Thompson of Monroe, MI; 5 grandchildren Christopher, Peter and Grace Thompson of Portage and Scott Sondra Silverberg of Monroe, MI and Rob Tracey Silverberg of Mena, Arkansas; 4 great-grandchildren Derek, Sabrina, Shane and Sloan Silverberg; 3 sisters, Martha Gerald Drake of Petoskey, MI, Anne Deming of Kalamazoo, and Helen Philip Henderson of Dearborn, MI; and many nieces and nephews. Dora enjoyed her immediate and extended family and was the family historian. Her interests were many including: sewing, spinning of yarn and knitting, golf, gardening, reading and Michigan State athletics. A memorial service will be held 3 o'clock Monday at the Friendship Village, KIVA Room, 1400 North Drake Rd. with the Rev. Raymond Babcock officiating. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service in the KIVA Room. Private burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the West Michigan Cancer Center, to Friendship Village, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com . 343-1508.