Patricia Anne Thompson

JACOBUS- Patricia Anne Thompson was born on April 7,1953 in Youngstown, OH. While we attended many different elementary schools growing up all over the U.S., she graduated from Franklin High School in Franklin, PA. Pat graduated from Mount Union College in OH with an M.S. in Geology. She was near completion of her dissertation for a Master’s of Science in Geology at the time of her accident in 2013.

Pat had many interests and accomplishments in a life well lived. In college, she was a music major and was accomplished playing instruments excelling in the cello. When she found that she would not get into Juilliard, she changed her major to Geology. After college, she studied and became a professional photographer. In 1987, she undertook a Volunteer Internship in the National Park Service starting what would be a lifelong career in Shenandoah National Park. She became a Seasonal Ranger paying her dues as most Rangers must before becoming a permanent employee in 1992. During her Seasonal Years, she worked at the Park for 6 months and then worked for the State of VA in an international project of acid/air and rain studies. She climbed 40’ towers to collect air samples and went through many backcountry streams to collect water samples. During the months where she was active in Shenandoah NP, she acquired many skills including becoming an EMT, learning firefighting skills and participating in those events as needed. She also trained originally in Interpretation. In 1997, Pat was promoted and transferred to Petrified Forest National Park outside of Holbrook, AZ. During her time there she ultimately became Chief, Cultural and Natural Resources. This position dealt with various scientific areas of operation and cultural relations with local Indigenous People.

Pat spent a lifetime in service to others. She served for many years on the Vestry at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Holbrook, AZ. She served on the Bishop of AZ’s Finance Committee. Ultimately, she became AZ’s only Lay Vicar serving the local church as they couldn’t afford a full-time priest. Pat was also on the Board of Trustees for Faith in Action in Flagstaff. This group performed many outreach activities including Habitat for Humanity. She routinely cooked and served meals to the Homeless at Bread of Life. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star Ruby Chapter #3. Additionally, Pat contributed many donations of funds for books for children to the Oglala Sioux. She knitted at least 200 sweaters per year for small children where needed, knitted many scarves and hats for the Episcopal outreach to Sailor’s incoming to NYC from foreign countries most of whom were not prepared for cold weather. She “adopted” a Russian orphan and contributed to many international wildlife projects.

She was preceded in death by Willis R. Thompson and Elizabeth Greene Thompson, our parents. She is survived by her sister Pamela Schweitzer, her niece, Meredith Williams, and her husband Bill Williams with their children, James and Chasity. She is also survived by her younger niece, Elizabeth Kirkland, and her husband, Grant Kirkland and their children, Ethan, Ben, and Zoey.

A viewing will be held from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1502 4th Ave, in York, PA. At the conclusion of her viewing, members of the Local Chapter of Eastern Star will conduct a small service. Her funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. Interment will follow next week at Grosses Creek Cemetery in Smyth County, VA. The funeral will be broadcast via St. Andrew’s Church and the link for that will be https://www.youtube.com/@st.andrewsepiscopalchurchy597

In lieu of flowers our family would request that any gifts go to Craig Hospital Foundation and can be mailed to Craig Hospital Foundation at 3425 S. Clarkson Street, Englewood, CO 80113. Please note that your gift is in memory of Patricia Thompson. You can also give online at the Craig Website https://secure3.convio.net/craig/site/Donation2?1400.donation=form1&df_id=1400&mfc_pref=T. Craig Hospital in Denver, CO, is the most significant treatment center for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. This is where Christopher Reeves received treatment. We are forever indebted and grateful for the care they provided.

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Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel and Crematory will be providing services to our family. They are located at 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion, PA 17356. (717) 244-6991.

Condolences can be sent via HeffnerCare.com

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