NEW BEDFORD — Helen B. (Harder) Thompson, 92, of South Dartmouth, died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home after a brief period of declining health. She was the wife of the late James A. Thompson.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of Frederick M. Harder and Edna M. Harder, Helen was a lifelong area resident.
Mrs. Thompson enjoyed a simple life, by choice. She was a stay at home mom who baked something from scratch everyday so when her sons returned home from school they would have a yummy snack. Helen was a fan of Dartmouth High Athletics during the years her sons participated in sports. She spent many years working in the flower gardens of her South Dartmouth home and enjoyed entertaining friends and family in her backyard, sharing the use of her swimming pool. Nana, as she was affectionately known by her five grandchildren, was always available to baby-sit, take care of pets, assist with delivering newspapers for her grandson's paper route and offering rides to and from various destinations, often at a moments notice. In her later years, she enjoyed her daily visits to the Sunrise Bakery Coffee Shop on Russells Mills Road where she would sit and visit with her local friends. She was an avid sports fan, especially of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. For many years Mrs. Thompson was a member of the South Dartmouth Congregational Church.
Her family members include her sons and daughters-in-law, Robert J. Thompson and Betsy of Largo, FL and David F. Thompson and MaryAnn of Voluntown, CT. Helen has five grandchildren: Tracey M. Ray of Omaha, NE, David L. Thompson of Hutchinson, KS, James G. Thompson of New Bedford, Timothy D. Thompson of Voluntown, CT, and Courtney Jones of Richmond, VA. She is the great-grandmother of Justin D. Abreu of New Bedford, Samantha C. Thompson and Brendan Ray of Omaha, NE, Aisyn M. Thompson of Hutchinson, KS, Ethan and Elliot Thompson of Voluntown, CT, and Ian and Ainsleigh Jones of Richmond, VA. In late November 2012, Helen became a great great-grandmother for the first time when her great great-granddaughter, Kora R. Abreu was born. Helen is also survived by her sister, Edna Chadwick of Rochester, MA; and several nieces and nephews.
Helen's family would like to thank Vivian Ramos of New Bedford for her loving and attentive care, the staff at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home and the Fairhaven Community Nurses Hospice for all of their loving and professional care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Helen's name to the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home, 200 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 or the Fairhaven Community Nurses Hospice, P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719.
A memorial visitation will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2013, from 2 - 5 p.m. in the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford. Burial is private.