Helen Thompson

Helen Marie Thompson
October 11, 1920 - October 15, 2018

Helen Marie Thompson, age 98, of Silverdale WA passed into the arms of our Lord on October 15, 2018. Helen (and her twin brother Albert) was born in a log house in Bridger Montana on October 11, 1920. She was the third child of nine born to John and Anna (Cisak) Skorupa. After attending school in Bridger, she married Archie Thompson on December 17, 1938. They lived in Billings, MT for one year before moving to Bremerton WA in November of 1939 as Archie was called to work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Mom recalled packing all they could into a one-seat Willy and heading for Washington state. Archie worked at PSNS for 30 years before retiring in 1969. Helen was a homemaker during this time, raising their three children: Jim, Norman and Karen. After her children were older, Helen worked as an inspector at Days clothing factory located on Perry Ave in Bremerton WA.

Helen and Archie bought a lot in Bremerton in 1941 and proceeded to build a four room, one bath house. They did all the work themselves, so mom remembers it was slow going. They added on to the house after Karen was born, once again doing all the work themselves. Mom moved to Crista Shores in 1997, one year after her husband passed away. Helen enjoyed many activities and new friendships during her 21 years at Crista Shores.

Helen's hobbies included camping, traveling, gardening, sewing and playing table games. They grew every type of fruit and vegetable in their city lot. No food was wasted in the Thompson house with Helen canning hundreds of quarts of produce each year. They loved to "hunt" for seafood as the Puget Sound provided an abundance of fish, crab, oysters and clams.

Helen enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to see many sites both in the US and overseas. Her husband wasn't as fond of traveling so she would book package tours with her girlfriends.

Helen was faithful in serving her Lord for over 75 years. She attended the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church (now Crossroads Neighborhood Church) in Bremerton, Wa. She was active for many years in the women's mission groups, rolling bandages, sewing baby outfits and crocheting around colorful greeting cards. Her special project was collecting cancelled stamps. She would send the trimmed stamps to a group in Florida that would sell and use the proceeds to purchase Christian literature for other countries. Her last envelope of stamps was handed to the church at the time of her death.

Helen is survived by her brother Bill and sister Mary, her children Jim (Jill) Thompson of Bellingham, Wa; Norman (Paula) Thompson of Lake Symington, Wa and Karen (Steve) Ferguson of Port Orchard, Wa. She was blessed with one granddaughter Jaime (Kenny) Wetzel of Shoreline, WA and one grandson Nathan (Amy) Ferguson of Port Orchard, Wa and six great-grandchildren: Audrey, Olivia, Porter, Henry, Weston and Harrison.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Archie, of 57 years, her brothers Walter, John, Albert, and Charlie and her sisters Alice and Florence.

A memorial service will be held at Crista Shores (Linder Room) in Silverdale, Wa on Saturday, November 24th, at 1:30 p.m.

The family wishes to thank the Crista Shores Assisted Living staff for the loving care they gave our mother these past 3-1/2 years.

Memorial donations can be made to your local Hospice or Crossroads Neighborhood Church, 7555 Old Military Rd NE, Bremerton WA 98311.