Judy Thompson, (82) of Victoria, BC, died on November 18, 2023.
Judy was born in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1941 to Harold and Virna Thompson of Wolseley, Saskatchewan. She attended elementary and secondary school near the family farm in Wolseley. She continued on to the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, majoring in psychology. Her early career as a librarian evolved into expediting the family to Regina, Madison, Wisconsin, Ottawa and back to Regina. She obtained a Master in Library Science in 1981 from the University of British Columbia and then embarked on a career as an election consultant beginning as Deputy Chief Election Officer for Manitoba. Notwithstanding her never learning to drive, she worked internationally for over a decade organizing elections in new democracies including Cambodia (where she survived a helicopter crash), Kosova, Bosnia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Palestine, South Africa and Ukraine. She moved to Victoria in 2003 and in semi-retirement applied her talents in the archives and libraries of the Maritime Museum of B.C., the Victoria Art Gallery and Ballet Victoria. Judy’s lifelong love of learning, theatre, the arts and history enriched not only her life, but those of her many friends and family members.
Judy was preceded in death by her mother and father, Harold and Virna, and is survived by her brother, Lynn Thompson (Betty), her sister, Ronda Thompson, her daughters Terri Gartner (Brad) and Kelly Wharton (Gary), grandchildren Damon (Brittany) and Liam, great grandchildren Dollshay and Nadia, and beloved nieces and nephews.
A service will be held in the spring in Victoria and Wolseley.
Donations to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia, the Maritime Museum of B.C. or the Salvation Army would be greatly appreciated.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Endalkachew Demissie
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Tewolde Wudneh I really don’t Know why I tried to find her via Google today. It is heartbreaking and hard to believe her death. Mom Judy and I met when she came to Bahir Dar/ Ethiopia in 1995. I was 15 years old. I don’t have words to say.I am so sad…! Thank you for all your kindness, best words of encouragement and generosity for the last 30 years. I will always miss you !!!
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Marilee Fazil I am saddened to hear of Judy’s passing. We met day 1 at UBC’s MLS program and kept in touch for many years through visits in Ottawa and Vancouver. She included me in a family visit to Saskatoon as I did a work term there — a rare treat. We had lost touch through Covid and I wondered why I had no response to my emails last year. Don’t know what made me check Google today as I begin my Christmas cards.
My caring thoughts to the family — I know how important you were to her, so I suspect you are still missing her.
Marilee Fazil
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Mary Tasi Baker Wade and l are saddened to hear of Judy’s passing. We have wonderful memories of Judy helping us source documents and archives at the Maritime Museum of BC and BC archives to assist with our book on Captain Vancouvers relations with the Indigenous leadership. We became very good friends with Judy over the years and often met for afternoon tea at Murchies. Judy had a strong sense of social justice and a great sense of humour.. l enjoyed hearing many stories about her fascinating political experiences.. we send prayers and condolences to the family..
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Sharon Russell Judy and I became friends when we were in elementary school in Wolseley and the friendship lasted through all these years.
We shared many interests and I remember fun things from our childhood like camping in a coulee on the family farm and trips to 4H events. We were roommates at university and eventually we were Victoria friends and together enjoyed theatre, dance, and much more.
I will always miss her.
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Val Lawton I was first introduced to the Gartner/Thompson household in 1972 when Judy’s daughter, Kelly, and I met at Lakeview School in Regina at the start of grade 5. Fifty-one years later, she and I are still best friends.
Judy occupied an important place in my life, from Wednesday night Girl Guide meetings, to VW camper-van trips, macrame, crocheting and batik projects, swimming at the YWCA, road trips across Canada, attending the Regina Symphony and Globe Theatre, walking around Wascana Lake, milking cows on the family farm at Wolseley, and countless other activities.
Later in life, Judy and I reconnected in Victoria where she had retired from her international elections work, and where my husband and I had relocated. We picked up where we left off, attending plays and ballet, wandering through art galleries, discussing book titles, strolling through Beacon Hill Park, taking part in the Old Cemetery Society’s graveyard tours in Victoria (yet another organization for whom Judy volunteered). Judy’s life was rich.
Thank you, Judy, for your many contributions to my life. Rest in peace.
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Joan Sandomirsky Judy was so generous to so many people, so competent in so many ways, so interested in so many things. This was a life well-lived. So very sorry for your loss.
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Marilyn Trueman My heart felt condolences to all Judy’s family.
A more interesting and caring person would be hard to find as Judy was.
Have so many wonderful memories of our times together. London, Barcelona and her visits to Mallorca, when we lived there .
She shall be missed.
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Kit Taylor My condolences to her family and friends.
Judy was a very capable no nonsense woman who worked to make the world a better place to live in.
Our paths crossed at different times in our lives but when I moved to Victoria 9 years ago was when we got to know each other better. We both liked The Indian cuisine at Mantra so often that was where we visited.
Judy was a devoted volunteer to different organizations in Victoria.
May she rest in peace.
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Robb Johnstone Wherever Judy went in her travels abroad, often arriving shortly after the bullets had just stopped flying, she always picked up a paper banknote for my collection back in Canada. A particular treasure is an Iraqi note featuring Saddam Hussein. I felt like I was living her brave adventure vicariously and I am so grateful that she remembered friends back home even while facing some mighty struggles in the world. Thank you Judy for showing us how to live a life filled with purpose.
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Rita Cleaveley My deepest sorrow family
Judy and I were friends for over 75 years. We didn’t get together often but stayed in torch and enjoyed visiting when we could. Many memories of school days and later travels to England and Spain. One of my greatest times were spent in Victoria with Judy showing me the town. She will be missed.
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Stephen Topfer My deepest condolences to Judys family and friends and loved ones. I will miss her good humour, common sense and intellegence as she worked so dilegently and patiently as a volunteer at the Art Gallery and the Maritime Museum.
May she rest in peace.
Tewolde, I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved one. Judy was like a biological mother to you.
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and her family.