Nancy Kay (Clarke) Thompson

Nancy Kay Clarke Thompson passed away at the age of 85 at Genesis hospital on March 25, 2023. She was born in Ravenna, Ohio on October 11,1937 the daughter of Scot Butler Clarke and Lucy Jean Spiers. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, G.William “ Bill” Thompson, her sister, Elaine Potter, her step father Tony Kellers, and a stepbrother Tony Kellers, Jr.

She is survived by her five children, Todd (Julie) Thompson, Tara (Tom) Poorman, Tim (Susan) Thompson, Ted (Megan) Thompson, and Tracie (Brian) Hill. She also has 9 grandchildren - Rachel (Dakota) Matz, Melanie (Eric) Schwieterman, Electa Thompson, Olivia Thompson, Aaron Thompson, Molly Thompson, Kaleigh Hill, Cameron Hill, and Conner Hill. Nancy also has 1 great grandchild, Ivy Drew Schwieterman and another great grandchild, Makari Matz, on the way. She is survived by a brother, Tom Clarke of Greensboro, NC. She is also survived by step granddaughter Jennifer (Shane) Shipley and step great granddaughters Hanna Hicks, Olivia Shipley and Sophia Shipley.

Nancy loved her family more than anything, as was evident in how she lived her life caring for them.

Nancy graduated from Brush High school in Lyndhurst, Ohio in 1955. In 1959, she graduated from Muskingum College where she earned Summa Cum Laude honors and was a member of the Delta Gamma Theta sorority.  Nancy met her husband Bill Thompson during freshmen orientation week.  She and Bill were together from then on and were married for 55 years prior to his death in 2014. Nancy started college as a Math major, but changed her major to home economics so she could be the best homemaker and cook for Bill and their eventual family. While living in Cincinnati as Bill was completing his funeral director and embalming school program, Nancy was a teacher in a junior high school there.

After they moved to their home in White Cottage and raised their family, Nancy continued to be passionate about teaching and helping others. She was a teacher to her children, grandchildren and many youth over the years at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. Nancy was a self-published author of two children’s books based on funny and sweet true life experiences. Nancy loved babysitting her grandchildren and teaching them all to swim in her pool. If you knew Nancy, you know that she loved swimming and sweets. Chocolate chip cookies were her favorite, but about any candy or cookie would not be turned down!  Nancy also loved to play tennis, and was able to play until age 80. She also loved to read – especially historical novels.  Nancy had many friends who will miss her greatly, including her Wednesday lunch bunch, her Silver Sneakers friends at the YMCA, her former Mother’s club and bridge club buddies, her caregivers, and many church friends.

Nancy was a faithful Christian disciple.  She was a 60 year member of Trinity UP church where she taught Sunday school for 40 years, was youth group chairman, was Moderator of Deacons and an Elder. She was also a lifetime member of the UP Women USA. Nancy was also active in the community on the Eastside Board of Directors for 15 years.  When her children were young, she served as president of Newton School PTO for several years.  Nancy gave freely of her time, talents and treasures in every aspect of her full life.

The Thompson family would like to extend their greatest appreciation for her caregivers at Home Instead over the last 3 years, who treated her like family, her pastor Deb Bowsher, Dr. Doug Myers and nurse practitioner Rachel Graham, and all the doctors, nurses and tech’s on 4 South at Genesis Hospital for caring so professionally and compassionately for her the last week of her life.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, March 28 from 4-8 pm at the William Thompson & Son Funeral Home in White Cottage with the funeral service on Wednesday, March 29 at 11 am.  A brief graveside service will be held at Wesley Union Cemetery immediately following the funeral.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Rd, Zanesville Ohio 43701.

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