Barbara Lynn Thompson

Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Barbara was the daughter of the late Walter R. Rice, Jr. and Jean Elizabeth Cocklin Rice. She was 1968 graduate of Manheim Township High School and a 1972 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelors of science in elementary education. Barbara was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

After graduation she was a reference librarian at Martin Memorial Library in York, PA for five years. She then enjoyed being a stay-at-home parent for 10 years, raising her daughters. Barbara taught seventh grade reading and language arts for 25 years at York Suburban Middle School in the York Suburban School District. Her fondest memories were of teaching novels, such as S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, which motivated many of her students.

Barbara enjoyed the beach especially spending time at Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, Delaware. In her retirement, she moved to Florida near family and enjoyed playing Bridge and mah jongg at Rosedale Country Club. She was also an avid reader, devouring several books a week.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 51 years, Ernest F. Thompson, Jr., and daughters, Jill Stango, Pittsburgh, husband Jared and three grandchildren, Stella, Jude, and Max; and Elizabeth Smith, Bradenton, FL, husband Jason, and three grandchildren, Chase, Nathan, and Luke. She is also survived by brother Charles Rice, Woodstock, GA, and sister Susan Adams, Decatur, GA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on September 23, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 12905 SR70 East, Lakewood Ranch, FL, A Celebration of Life will follow at Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center, 4310 Solutions Lane, Bradenton, FL, from 12:00 - 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or www.stjude.org .

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rtslwr.com for the Thompson family.