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Grace Elizabeth (Edwards) Thompson, age 96, formally of Canton and most recently of Hollywood Florida passed away January 10, 2021 at the South Memorial Hospital in Hollywood after a short illness.
She was born in 1924 and raised in western PA in Crown and then Emlenton, PA. She graduated from Emlenton High School and then worked shortly in Erie, PA before joining the Navy to serve her country during WW II. She served for two years as a “Wave” (Seaman First Class) at the Brunswick, ME air base supporting front line troops. After the war, she returned to Emlenton and opened her own small children’s clothing shop.
She married in 1951 and began raising her young family in Emlenton before they moved in 1960 to Canton. She remained living in their Canton family home until 2018 at the age of 94. Once becoming an empty nester, she began working as a longtime Teacher’s Aid at the Dean S. Luce Elementary School. In her later years until the age of 87, she continued working at the school on a volunteer basis because she so enjoyed both the little children and all her teacher friends. She was also a faithful parishioner at St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church attending the daily morning mass and visiting with her close circle of fellow daily mass friends.
Beloved wife of the late William B. Thompson and mother of Timothy Barnes (wife Kathy) of Clearfield, PA., Thomas Thompson (wife Maryann) of Scituate, MA, Kathleen Swanson (husband Paul) of Albuquerque, NM, Terence Thompson (wife Corinne) of North Easton, MA, Jane Thompson (Paul Carlucci) of NY, NY. Youngest sister of the late Kathleen Getty and brothers Leo, Robert, Richard, and Timothy Edwards. She is survived by 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren as well as her dearest friends Jacqui Sefton and Elaine Gately.
Her greatest joy was spending time with close friends and family including her many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren as well as her numerous “Canton “kids” that grew up alongside her own and always gravitated to Gracie’s house. She was a great listener and conversationalist making everyone feel comfortable and welcome. In her later years, a phone call, visit, or letter from these loved ones was what she lived for and so truly enjoyed. She was always proud to share news and show latest pictures of her extensive family and friends. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and were touched by her.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Gerard Majella Church in Canton on Tuesday January 26th at 10am. A private burial will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton.
Care for the Military Veterans was always important to both her and husband Bill and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a wounded veteran charity of your choice in Grace’s memory.