News

By Liz Best

DELRAY BEACH — Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend to many, Ruth Houseman Thompson died peacefully at her home in Delray Beach on Christmas Day, 2011. She was 93 years old.
    Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas “Tim” Thompson, and a daughter, Ann Thompson.
A longtime resident of both Delray Beach and Boca Raton, Mrs. Thompson was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, where she served as a deacon for the past several years.
    She was beautiful, gracious and a faithful devoted friend, according to those who knew her.
    “She was a wonderful and gracious lady who was always smiling,” said the Rev. Jo Garnett, associate minister for senior activities at First Presbyterian. “She was lovely, both inside and out.”
    Dr. Ted Bush, who was the long-time pastor at the church until his recent retirement, agrees.
    “Ruthie was deeply devoted to her family as well as her faith,” he said. “I don’t know that I met anyone who didn’t love her. She accepted people just as they were. She was very gracious. And she had a unique ability, that when Ruth spoke, people listened.”
    Mrs. Thompson is survived by a sister, Mary Goodwin, of Gaithersburg, Md.; a daughter, Judith and son-in-law, George Lowman, of Wilmette, Ill.; a son, Thomas M. Thompson Jr. and daughter-in-law, Patricia, of Houston; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
    A memorial service was held Jan. 28, at the First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Main Street Ministries at 5100 Travis St., Houston, TX 77002.