Wilma Catherine Thompson

Wilma Catherine (nee Frey) Thompson, 81, of Fort Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 1, 2021, at her home with family by her side. Born on November 21, 1939, in New Albany, IN, she was the daughter of the late Gomer and Jennie (nee Keithline) Frey. As Wilma was growing up, her family lived many different places due to her father’s job opportunities throughout the United States and South America, including Brazil and Argentina. Wilma graduated from high school in Sao Paulo, Brazil. After many years in the administrative field, she went to college as an adult and graduated from Indiana University East in Richmond, IN, with a bachelor’s degree in English so she could pursue her love of writing. Throughout her life, she was an avid reader and became a book and movie collector and shared her passion by sending her favorites to her grandchildren on every possible occasion. Wilma enjoyed singing and dancing, particularly square dancing, and swing dancing. She sang in choirs at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Winchester, IN, and Lutheran Life Villages in Fort Wayne. Wilma’s greatest joy of all was spending time with her family. She is survived by her sister, Sandy Frey; daughters, Debbie (Nolan) (nee McGill) Sullenbarger and Cathy (Steve) (nee McGill) Waggoner; grandchildren, Leah (nee Sullenbarger) O’Conner, Carah Sullenbarger, Cole Droste, Evan Droste, Seth Waggoner, and Ellie Waggoner; and great-grandchildren, James O’Conner and Olive O’Conner. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Bob Thompson; and sister, Bea (nee Frey) Jackson. A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity English Lutheran Church, 400 West Washington Blvd, Fort Wayne, at 4:00 p.m., November 6, with visitation one hour prior. Preferred memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For online condolences, please visit www.advantagemungovan.com.