Obituary of Lois Margaret Thompson

THOMPSON, LOIS (McDOUGALL) ~ Lois passed away peacefully in The Elliott Community, Guelph, on December 27, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was born in Winnipeg on October 4, 1927, and is survived by her husband A E John Thompson. She was predeceased by her sister Jean McDougall; their father, Dr Dougald McDougall, was Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Manitoba for many years. Lois was an excellent mathematician, and became an Associate Actuary in 1954, one of the few female actuaries at that time. Together with Joan (Slater) Gherson she travelled by ship to postwar England in 1948, and had many biking adventures. While learning to play tennis (to return to England!), she met and married John, a Chartered Accountant. She became a devoted mother to their four children, and helped keep the household going while he was immersed in tax reform in Ottawa. She kept up her interest in mathematics, and was a visiting teacher in Ottawa and in Cambridge, Massachusetts. When the children had left home, she resumed her actuarial profession with McClure & Dakin in Toronto, and taught herself to use a computer doing intricate mathematical calculations, and later desktop publishing. In her later years she endured Alzheimers with grace, and cheered caregivers with her smile. She will be dearly missed by her husband, and by her children, Lynn, Doug (Elaine), Jamie (Avon), and Criss, whose creative ways belie the ostensibly conservative education of their parents. She was very fond of her grandchildren Duncan, Chester, Celeste (Kevin), Islay, Rosalie, and Faryn, and great granddaughter Blake. Our sincere and grateful thanks to the staff at The Elliott for their professional and thoughtful care of Lois during her long period of Alzheimers. Special thanks also to Kelli Arppe, who has been a caring companion to Lois throughout this last journey. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Elliott, the Alzheimers Society, Dublin United Church or charity of your choice would be appreciated. A service of Celebration of Life for Lois will be held in the chapel of The Elliott Community, 170 Metcalfe St, Guelph, Ontario, at 11.00 am on Saturday January 3, 2015, followed by a light luncheon. Arrangements entrusted to the Gilchrist Chapel – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street, Guelph, (519 824-0031). We invite you to leave your condolences and donations online. Service Information Service Date Saturday, January 3, 2015 Service Time 11:00 a.m. Service Location The Elliott Community, 170 Metcalfe Street, Guelph, ON Requested Charity The Elliott, Alzheimers Society, Dublin United Church or Charityof Choice