Elnora Thompson, a resident of Pacific Palisades since 1997, passed away on May 20 at the age of 93. Born in Royersford, Pennsylvania in 1914, Thompson was the grandchild of immigrants who traveled by sea from Germany in an open boat, and the child of Pennsylvania Dutch/Mennonite parents. She and her five siblings were reared in a hearty, no-nonsense, God-fearing home. During the Depression, Elnora learned the art of resourcefulness, creating for herself elegant dresses fashioned from fine silk slips her aunt gave her. She carried her gifts of creating into her married life in New Hampshire, where she and her beloved husband, Walter, moved from New York City, leaving forever the city life for the country. In Mont Vernon, they reared their four children on raw milk, real churned butter, and eggs collected from the chicken house. She expanded her arts to include braided and hooked rugs, knitting, croqueting, sewing, ceramics, beading, as well as antiquing and wallpaper hanging. One of her most enduring qualities was her ability to amuse everyone with her outrageous remarks, facial expressions, and imitations which in her later years left people astounded at the elasticity of her mind. Thompson read widely and was particularly interested in animals, nature and the news. She variously taught Sunday School and vacation Bible school, directed a junior choir, sang in adult choir and led women’s meetings. At the age of 82, after the death of her husband, Walter, she moved to Pacific Palisades to live with her daughter, Kathleen. She said it took all of five minutes to get used to her new surroundings. When she could no longer attend church, she delighted in watching Dr. Billy Graham classics every Saturday evening, commenting on how his sermons of 30 years ago were just as applicable today. Thompson many times declared that her death should be the occasion of a big, happy family party without much fuss, and only a small picture of herself. Her family will honor this request, but reserve the right to be sad at the passing of an interesting, funny, talented, Christian lady who left a big picture in everybody’s minds. She is survived by her four children, Denice Glover of Francestown, New Hampshire, Carole Rodriguez of Santa Clarita, Kathleen Howarth of Pacific Palisades, and Walter Thompson (wife Babbette) of Manteca; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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