Norma Jane Rideout Thompson

She was born on July 18, 1929, in Pittsfield, N.H., the daughter of Guy and Florence (Talbert) Rideout. She lived in Pittsfield through the 8th grade and then moved to Keene with her family and graduated from Keene High School in 1947.

She married James Thompson on July 12, 1964 and worked for F.A. Putnam and then Keene State College until she retired.

Norma loved knitting and crocheting, crossword puzzles, word games and her favorite T.V. show was Jeopardy.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years: James Thompson of Keene; her brother: Kenneth Rideout and his wife Jane of Keene; a daughter Kathy Ortakales and her husband John of Fountain Inn, SC; a son: Guy Derby and his wife Amy of Fair Oaks, CA, and her step children: Nancy Thompson of Keene, Kathy Schultz and her husband Gary of Winchester and James M. Thompson and his wife Ruth of Dublin; 12 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren. She is pre deceased by her mother and father, a brother: Bernard Rideout, formerly of Hinsdale and son Richard Derby, formerly of Riverside, CA.

Per request of Norma, there are no public calling hours or services. Burial will be held at a later date.

Norma was an animal lover and adopted several pets throughout her years. Memorial donations can be made, in lieu of flowers, in Norma J. Thompson’s name, to the Monadnock Humane Society (www.monadnockhumanesociety.org), 101 W Swanzey Rd, Swanzey, NH 03446.

Fletcher Funeral Home and Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St, Keene, has been entrusted with the arrangements.