Kathryn, “Kathy” Laws Thompson was born on July 3, 1937 to Emily and Curtis Laws. She was born and raised in Burbank, California and was a proud Burbank “Bulldog” in high school. Kathy attended the University of California Los Angeles, (UCLA) and obtained her Elementary Education degree. She lived and taught in Burbank until a “blind” fishing” date with John Thompson, swept her off her feet. They were engaged within three months and married 57 years. John was indeed the love of her life and their dedication to each other was remarkable.
Marriage to John moved Kathy to Santa Barbara, California for nearly 20 years. They had three daughters, Susan, Diane ‘Dede” and Linda. They camped, fished, enjoyed the beaches until John’s company moved them to Salt Lake City, Utah. Kathy never did love the snow in Utah, but she did learn to live in it. In Utah, she was able to fulfill her dream to become a librarian. She worked her way up and eventually became the school librarian at Edgemont Elementary school in Sandy, Utah, until she retired.
After retirement in the mid-1990’s, Kathy and John became a part of the Montrose, Colorado community. In Colorado, they discovered all the outdoor play ground that she loved. She and John particularly fell in love with the Grand Mesa National Forest, establishing many wonderful memories with each other, friends, and family on their various adventures to this special place. Kathy also found an amazing circle of friends through her church, the Montrose Methodist church, bridge groups, PEO, AAUW, and volunteering at the Montrose Memorial Hospital. Her illness did not deter her from her activities until just the last months of her life. She loved people and learning their stories and was noted to provide sage advice to her hospice providers.
Kathy died at home on February 4, 2019 with the love and support of her family, Hopewest Hospice and People Care Home Health. She is survived by her husband, John, their daughters, Susan Thompson, Diane Hakes, Linda Long and five grandchildren, Jeremy Loeppke, Ben Hakes, Courtney Hakes, Michael Long and Matthew Long.
A celebration of life, memorial service will be held at the Montrose Methodist Church on 3/30/19 at 4:30 PM. All who knew and loved Kathy or John are invited.
Kathy strongly supported the National MS Society, in lieu of flowers or for any memorial donations, please consider supporting their organization.
Published Crippen Funeral Home, Montrose, Colorado
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