Jean A. Thompson

Jean Averill Thompson, 83
BOARDMAN - Jean Averill Thompson, 83, went home to be with our Lord early Wednesday morning, Aug. 6, 2014, from the Hospice House.
She will be missed by her family and friends in this life, but has been joyously reunited for all eternity with those who went before her. Jean will also look forward to being reunited with those of us who will see her again in the future, because we have trusted Jesus for salvation.
Jean was born June 15, 1931, in Angola, Ind., a daughter of Berniece and Capt. Roy Averill.
She graduated from Westminster College with a Bachelors of Music Degree in 1952. Jean taught vocal music in the Canfield Local Schools for 30 years, retiring in 1994. She believed in being firm but fair. She loved her students, and in addition to teaching music, enjoyed sharing life lessons along the way. She organized annual Christmas music programs with her elementary students at C.H. Campbell School in Canfield. Her love of music was inspired by Mabel Glenn, back when Jean was in elementary school in Kansas City, Mo.
She loved teaching the children within the school environment, as well as at the Canfield Methodist Church, where she had been the Chapel Choir Director for about 14 years. While there, as a treat for the children, Jean also arranged for an annual field trip to go roller skating at the Boardman Rollercade on Midlothian Boulevard, which is a now a Schwebels Bakery building.
Jean was chosen, along with other educators, for a trip to visit schools in Russia. They were interested in learning about American philosophies of teaching. One of her memories of this trip was that the Russian educators wanted to have their students learn about God, while our schools in America, had banned learning about God.
Surviving her is her daughter, Carrie A. (James) Mestichelli of Boardman; a son, Kenton A. (Lori) Thompson of Hudson; daughter-in-law Mary Ann Thompson; two grandsons, Brock (Hannah) Thompson and Chad Thompson; and a great-grandson, Byron.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Eric A. Thompson and a grandson, Justin Thompson.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Davis-Becker Funeral, 8536 Market St., in Boardman, with visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m.
at the funeral home.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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