Gretchen Ivalou Thompson

Gretchen Thompson was born on January 5, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to James and Eulalia “Peggy” Henyon. She was an only child, and from early on life asked much of her. When her mother became ill with tuberculosis, Gretchen and her father moved in with relatives during that difficult time.

Her father, a salesman, taught her the value of thrift and discipline — even keeping a small black book to track every penny. Gretchen carried that practical wisdom with her throughout her life.

She grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1952.

Gretchen lived much of her life as a Type 1 diabetic at a time when doctors placed strict limits on what they believed her life could be. She was told she would not live past 57 and that she could not have children. Yet she had two children and lived far beyond that predicted age.

Even after quadruple bypass surgery in the early 1990s, she continued forward with the quiet determination that defined her life.

In many ways, her life became a steady refutation of every prognosis that tried to confine her.

Work was central to who she was. After her first marriage to Harold, known as Bob, she spent time in Louisiana where he worked for Boeing. Gretchen secured a position with NASA in New Orleans and later worked for Boeing as well. In 1968 she returned to Seattle and eventually found a meaningful role at Park Orchard Elementary School, where she worked until taking early retirement at 57 — the very age doctors once predicted she would not reach.

She was an organizer and planner who believed deeply that the people she loved should be cared for. Her children, Doug and Karen, grew up helping run the household — cooking, dishes, yardwork — learning from her that hard work and self-sufficiency were acts of love.

Later in life she found her deepest partnership with Francis “Fran” Arthur Thompson. Together they shared a love of travel and collecting. Fran introduced her to Depression Glass, and what began as an interest became a passion. They traveled in their RV to antique malls and shows, building both a collection and a shared adventure.

They eventually settled near the ocean in Ocean Shores on Duck Lake, where Gretchen loved watching deer swim to a nearby island she called the “birthing island.” She volunteered at the Ocean Shores Food Bank and was active at Galilean Lutheran Church, quietly giving back to her community.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her son Douglas, whose loss she carried with quiet courage.

She is survived by her daughter Karen and her husband Mark; step-daughter Gail and her husband Steve Ells; step-sons Larry and Wayne; Larry’s sons Blair and Marc; and her granddaughters Jacqui Mullins and Christi Ells.

Mark summed up Gretchen’s life simply and well:

“Job well done.”

And that truly captures it. Gretchen met every challenge placed before her with perseverance. She raised capable children, built lasting friendships, traveled widely, and created beauty along the way.

Job well done, indeed, Gretchen. Job well done.