Norma Jane Thompson
Ketchikan, Alaska
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Norma Jane Thompson née McKenzie. She passed away after nearly a month of hospitalization on August 9th, 2023 at the age of 59, at Northern Lights Hospital in Bangor, Maine, surrounded by family.
Norma was born October 23rd, 1963, in Disley, England to Reverend Hillis McKenzie and Mary McKenzie née Giffin. She grew up moving through many different countries, including Libya, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, and Germany. In her lifetime she also traveled to all fifty United States. Her mother was a traveling nurse and her father was a college professor, as well as a reverend. Because of her travel, she witnessed several grave travesties over the years, which led to her becoming a passionate advocate against injustice as an adult. At the time of her death, she was debating returning to school and becoming a lawyer to continue her fight against injustice. She was a playwright, and a devoted teacher at Revilla High School in Ketchikan, Alaska, often going above and beyond for her students. She taught special education and drama. She was a beloved teacher for 30 years. She advocated for her students and their families, as well as her own. She had a huge heart and was always there if anyone needed her. She was chosen as a delegate for Mom Congress and continued to keep in contact with the other delegates years after. She had a tendency to adopt her kids’ friends as surrogate children. Her compassion was not limited to humans. She was an avid animal lover, and always kept an extra leash in her car to rescue animals in need. She had a love of learning and was extremely courageous. She studied education at The University of Texas, and was an excellent student.
She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her Uncle, Douglas; mother and father in-law, Ruby Arlene Thompson née Lee and Alton Maurice Thompson; and nephew, SGT Blair W. Emery. She is survived by her husband, Alton E. Thompson; son, Nick Matthew Thompson; daughters, Krystle Quie Gomez née Thompson and her husband, Angel Gomez, Melody Ruth Thompson; grandchildren, Braden Cai Gomez, Mila Ruby Lee Gomez, and Alyvia Blair Gomez. She is also survived by her siblings, Dorothy Ahlswede née McKenzie, and Ian McKenzie; aunts, Leticia McKenzie, and Sophie Giffin; siblings in-law, Carl and Lisa Thompson, Quie and Bill Emery, Christopher Thompson, Paul and Mary Thompson; cousins in-law, Gerald and Denise Myrick; many nieces and nephews; and her best friends, Deb Lasse, Sherry White LeCornu and Sharon Brooks, and many more.
She is also survived by her two cats, Journey and Noel, and her family dog, Midnight Diamond Eve. Her unending love and devotion to her family is shown in her final words, which were, “Love you Sweetie,” addressed to her grandson.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital for their care.
There will be two services, in order to include all of those many people who cared for Norma, in both Maine and Alaska. The one in Maine will be on August 20th at 2pm at Potter Brook Cemetery in East Winn. A service in Ketchikan Alaska is TBD.
Gifts in Norma’s name may be made to: Mom Congress 5101 Santa Monica Blvd. STE 8-326, Los Angeles, CA. 90029 or the SGT Blair Emery Scholarship fund 299 Winn Road Lee, ME 04455.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norma Thompson, please visit our flower store.
Ketchikan, Alaska
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Norma Jane Thompson née McKenzie. She passed away after nearly a month of hospitalization on August 9th, 2023 at the age of 59, at Northern Lights Hospital in Bangor, Maine, surrounded by family.
Norma was born October 23rd, 1963, in Disley, England to Reverend Hillis McKenzie and Mary McKenzie née Giffin. She grew up moving through many different countries, including Libya, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, and Germany. In her lifetime she also traveled to all fifty United States. Her mother was a traveling nurse and her father was a college professor, as well as a reverend. Because of her travel, she witnessed several grave travesties over the years, which led to her becoming a passionate advocate against injustice as an adult. At the time of her death, she was debating returning to school and becoming a lawyer to continue her fight against injustice. She was a playwright, and a devoted teacher at Revilla High School in Ketchikan, Alaska, often going above and beyond for her students. She taught special education and drama. She was a beloved teacher for 30 years. She advocated for her students and their families, as well as her own. She had a huge heart and was always there if anyone needed her. She was chosen as a delegate for Mom Congress and continued to keep in contact with the other delegates years after. She had a tendency to adopt her kids’ friends as surrogate children. Her compassion was not limited to humans. She was an avid animal lover, and always kept an extra leash in her car to rescue animals in need. She had a love of learning and was extremely courageous. She studied education at The University of Texas, and was an excellent student.
She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her Uncle, Douglas; mother and father in-law, Ruby Arlene Thompson née Lee and Alton Maurice Thompson; and nephew, SGT Blair W. Emery. She is survived by her husband, Alton E. Thompson; son, Nick Matthew Thompson; daughters, Krystle Quie Gomez née Thompson and her husband, Angel Gomez, Melody Ruth Thompson; grandchildren, Braden Cai Gomez, Mila Ruby Lee Gomez, and Alyvia Blair Gomez. She is also survived by her siblings, Dorothy Ahlswede née McKenzie, and Ian McKenzie; aunts, Leticia McKenzie, and Sophie Giffin; siblings in-law, Carl and Lisa Thompson, Quie and Bill Emery, Christopher Thompson, Paul and Mary Thompson; cousins in-law, Gerald and Denise Myrick; many nieces and nephews; and her best friends, Deb Lasse, Sherry White LeCornu and Sharon Brooks, and many more.
She is also survived by her two cats, Journey and Noel, and her family dog, Midnight Diamond Eve. Her unending love and devotion to her family is shown in her final words, which were, “Love you Sweetie,” addressed to her grandson.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital for their care.
There will be two services, in order to include all of those many people who cared for Norma, in both Maine and Alaska. The one in Maine will be on August 20th at 2pm at Potter Brook Cemetery in East Winn. A service in Ketchikan Alaska is TBD.
Gifts in Norma’s name may be made to: Mom Congress 5101 Santa Monica Blvd. STE 8-326, Los Angeles, CA. 90029 or the SGT Blair Emery Scholarship fund 299 Winn Road Lee, ME 04455.
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