August 30, 1926 - August 22, 2019
Jesmond Thompson passed away peacefully August 22 in her home at Whistle Bend Place, Whitehorse, Yukon. A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, September 5th, 2:00 pm at Whitehorse United Church, 601 Main St. She will be interred in Stonewall Cemetery (MB) alongside her husband, Rev. Glen Thompson. A longer obituary appears at https://heritagenorth.ca.
Born Sarah Jesmondine Lund in Stonewall, where she grew up, Jesmond then lived in Winnipeg, Dryden ON, Aylsham SK, Berens River, Thompson, Anola, and Gimli MB, and lastly, Whitehorse. In 1951 she married Rev. Glen Thompson of Davidson SK. Six children — Laurie (Lois Berry), Jennifer (Zack Gross), Ann Thompson Courchene, Heather Todd (Randy), Murray (Linda Wenstob), and Sheila (Mike Burdett) — came in quick succession. Life was busy with raising a family and the hosting, music playing, and Sunday School teaching of a minister's wife.
Glen passed away in 2014. A year later, Jesmond started yet another adventure, moving to live with her youngest daughter Sheila and partner Mike in Whitehorse. Here she found a welcoming church home at Whitehorse United Church, with minister Rev. Bev Brazier.
Jesmond's family of six children and partners,12 grandchildren and partners, and eight great grandchildren remember Jesmond's graciousness, her determination and strength of will, her tolerance and patience, and her progressive social views. Above all, they remember her positive outlook on life and her love of family. Two granddaughters and three great granddaughters carry her names in her honour.
Her family wishes to especially recognize the care and support for Jesmond in her time in Whitehorse from son-in-law Mike and daughter Sheila. Other children and their partners visited often and provided back up support for crises, medical events, and respite.
Jesmond's family also wishes to recognize the outstanding care she received in the last two years of her life in the Yukon long-term care system, in home care and at the Thomson Centre day program, Macaulay Lodge, and Whistle Bend Place in Whitehorse. We send a warm thank you to the staff who showed Jesmond how much they loved her with kindness and professional and thoughtful care. This is how resident and family-centred long-term care can and should be provided, and we are grateful for that.
In memory of Jesmond, her family asks that you do an act of kindness. If you so desire, you may also donate to Indspire (www.indspire.ca) or the St. Amant Centre (www.stamant.ca).