Obituary for Elizabeth W. Thompson (Wickes)
Elizabeth Thompson, age 78, of Lexington and formerly of Arlington, died with her two beloved daughters by her side on July 19 at Brookhaven at Lexington, after a long decline due to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). She was preceded in death by her parents Nancy (Castles) Pantley and William H. Wickes. She is survived by her daughters Julia Thompson of Lexington and Martha Thompson of Everett, Washington; by her granddaughters Adela and Sierra Kozin; by her son-in-law Simon Kozin; by her three brothers and their wives: William and Susan Wickes of Corvallis, Oregon; David and Deborah Wickes of Toronto, Ontario; and Robert and Elizabeth Wickes of Boise, Idaho; by her former husband, Mark Thompson of Lexington; and by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Born in Brisbane, Australia on June 3, 1945, she journeyed with her Australian mother in September, 1945 to join her father, an American Air Force Captain, for a new life in Southern California. After surviving polio at age 5, Elizabeth went on to graduate as one of the top students in her high school class. She attended UCLA on an academic scholarship, along with her brother Bill. She majored in French and History, and studied in Bordeaux, France during her junior year. She further expanded her horizons by volunteering with the Peace Corps in Tunisia from 1968-70. During that experience, she met her future husband, Mark Thompson. They married in 1970 and moved to Vienna, Austria, where they worked at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Her two daughters were born during this time in Austria. In 1975, they moved to the Boston area, where Elizabeth lived the rest of her life, primarily in Arlington and Lexington. She earned a master’s degree in French at Tufts University.
Elizabeth was a brilliant, adventurous, curious, kind, and loving woman who was adored by her family and friends. She worked in many capacities, including as a mother, teacher, editor, real estate agent and software contracts manager. Passionate about civic participation, she volunteered for decades with the League of Women Voters in Arlington, including serving several years on its board and as its president. She helped plan and moderate many Arlington Candidates Nights. She was a talented and creative chef, who specialized in international and vegetarian cuisine. She took great pleasure in treating loved ones to delicious meals, holiday celebrations, and parties at her home. She treasured her many friends and enjoyed planning outings to local events, including folk concerts, museum exhibitions, and plays at the Arlington Friends of the Drama. An inquisitive lifelong learner, she traveled extensively, gardened enthusiastically, wrote a historical romance novel, played the guitar and piano, spoke several languages, and continued taking a variety of classes into her 70’s. She was thrilled to become a grandmother and doted on her two granddaughters. She was a dedicated daughter and sister who always kept in touch and visited her far-flung relatives. She was a devoted member of the First Congregational Church in Winchester, where she made many friends. Elizabeth had a wonderful sense of humor and a strong will to live and to give.
Her family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers who provided wonderful support for Elizabeth at the Gardenview Nursing Center at Brookhaven, where she spent her final three years.
Burial will be private, with interment plans not yet determined. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her name can be made to the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (https://lwvma.org/donate/). A memorial service is being planned for the fall of 2023. To leave an online condolence, please visit: https://www.keefefuneralhome.com/
Born in Brisbane, Australia on June 3, 1945, she journeyed with her Australian mother in September, 1945 to join her father, an American Air Force Captain, for a new life in Southern California. After surviving polio at age 5, Elizabeth went on to graduate as one of the top students in her high school class. She attended UCLA on an academic scholarship, along with her brother Bill. She majored in French and History, and studied in Bordeaux, France during her junior year. She further expanded her horizons by volunteering with the Peace Corps in Tunisia from 1968-70. During that experience, she met her future husband, Mark Thompson. They married in 1970 and moved to Vienna, Austria, where they worked at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Her two daughters were born during this time in Austria. In 1975, they moved to the Boston area, where Elizabeth lived the rest of her life, primarily in Arlington and Lexington. She earned a master’s degree in French at Tufts University.
Elizabeth was a brilliant, adventurous, curious, kind, and loving woman who was adored by her family and friends. She worked in many capacities, including as a mother, teacher, editor, real estate agent and software contracts manager. Passionate about civic participation, she volunteered for decades with the League of Women Voters in Arlington, including serving several years on its board and as its president. She helped plan and moderate many Arlington Candidates Nights. She was a talented and creative chef, who specialized in international and vegetarian cuisine. She took great pleasure in treating loved ones to delicious meals, holiday celebrations, and parties at her home. She treasured her many friends and enjoyed planning outings to local events, including folk concerts, museum exhibitions, and plays at the Arlington Friends of the Drama. An inquisitive lifelong learner, she traveled extensively, gardened enthusiastically, wrote a historical romance novel, played the guitar and piano, spoke several languages, and continued taking a variety of classes into her 70’s. She was thrilled to become a grandmother and doted on her two granddaughters. She was a dedicated daughter and sister who always kept in touch and visited her far-flung relatives. She was a devoted member of the First Congregational Church in Winchester, where she made many friends. Elizabeth had a wonderful sense of humor and a strong will to live and to give.
Her family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers who provided wonderful support for Elizabeth at the Gardenview Nursing Center at Brookhaven, where she spent her final three years.
Burial will be private, with interment plans not yet determined. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her name can be made to the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (https://lwvma.org/donate/). A memorial service is being planned for the fall of 2023. To leave an online condolence, please visit: https://www.keefefuneralhome.com/