In Loving Memory of M. Virginia "Jenny" Thompson

M. Virginia “Jenny” Thompson was born on May 26, 1931, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She was the third youngest of thirteen children born to Stewart and Fannie Jane Durden. Growing up, Jenny had a full and active life. She particularly enjoyed going into town to the local movie theater with her sister Tina. Jenny loved school, and in high school she was the valedictorian, homecoming queen and played on the girls’ basketball team. Her life plan after high school was to attend college and have a business career. That plan changed when her sister Tina introduced her to Lieutenant Bernard David Thompson, Jr. at Fort Bragg. After a whirlwind romance they were married in February 1951.

They had four children and her husband’s military career moved the family throughout the United States as well as Italy. While stationed in Italy they took advantage of the opportunity and toured Europe. Sadly, her husband, then Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, was killed in Vietnam in January 1968. Jenny and her children lived in Minnesota at that time, but Jenny made the decision to move to the Seattle area to be near three of her siblings and their families. She was a longtime member of and contributor to the Gold Star Wives, an organization which supports and champions benefits for surviving military spouses and families.

Jenny enrolled at Highline Community College until a friend told her of a job opportunity at SeaTac Airport in the apparel shop, “Comings and Goings”. She got the job and worked there for over thirty years.

Jenny enjoyed holidays, family get-togethers, socializing with friends, and bowling. In her later years, she was the most popular girl at Muckleshoot Bingo. Jenny leaves behind, to carry on her love of life, her sister Ernestine “Tina” Williams; four children, Bernard (Cher) Thompson, III, retired Captain Michael Thompson, Philip (Beth) Thompson, and Maxine (Larry) Thompson-Jones; and 2 grandchildren, P. Girard Montejo-Thompson and Morgan Thompson. She will be dearly missed by them as well as her many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Let’s all band together and continue to believe for the cure for all cancers. Thank you and God bless.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Cente https://www.fredhutch.org/en/about.html

Please visit her online obituary at www.bonneywatson.com.