Jean Perry Thompson, 83, formerly of Newton Highlands and wife of the late Dr. Charles A Thompson, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Needham on September 21. Jean was born to Howard R. and Marjorie Tilton Perry in Wellesley Hills and spent most of her childhood years on Ledgeways. She graduated from LaSalle Junior College and worked in the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Medical Records Dept where she met Dr. Thompson. They were married in 1946 and together raised five children.
Jean was an active volunteer while raising her children, including service with the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Newton Highlands Congregational Church, the Newton Wellesley Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, and the Squirrel Island Ladies Imps Assoc. Jean developed a love for birdwatching and enjoyed birding trips to favorite local spots, such as Plum Island and Arnold Arboretum, as well as trips to Costa Rica, the British Isles, and St. John. Dr. and Mrs. Thompson also served as interim medical missionaries at the Mt. Salinda Hospital in Zimbabwe.
Jean is survived by her children Meredith Kerr and her husband Scott of North Yarmouth, ME, Wayne Thompson of Sebastopol, CA, Dana Humphreys and her husband Steve of Suffield, CT, and David Thompson and his wife Virginia of New Haven, CT. She was predeceased by a son Charles Arthur Thompson, Jr. She is survived by a sister, Margaret Lane of Chelmsford, MA and was predeceased by her brother, H. Russell Perry. Jean has numerous grandchildren – James, Sarah, and Timothy Kerr, Charles Arthur Thompson IV, Helen Humphreys, and Micha and Nora Thompson.
Memorial services will be held at the Newton Highlands Congregational Church on Sunday, September 24, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Newton Highlands Congregational Church, Museum of Fine Arts, or the charity of one’s choice.