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Carmelia Ann Thompson

May 26, 1942–September 6, 2022

Carmelia "Carmi" Ann Thompson, 80, died on September 6, 2022, in Everett, Wash., after a long and difficult illness. While we know mom did not want to leave us–we are grateful she is at peace.

Carmi was born on May 26, 1942, in Clarksburg, West Va., to Lora B. (née Boggs) and Joseph P. Suarez. While Joe was deployed in the Navy, Lora and Carmi moved back to Lora's hometown, Dayton, Wash., where brother Michael was born.

After the war, her parents divorced, and Lora married I.E. (Sherb) Cummings, who adopted and helped raise Carmi and Michael. By Carmi's account, the family moved more than 20 times while she was in school–primarily between Dayton, LaCrosse, and Colfax. In all three towns, Carmi developed deep friendships that would last a lifetime.

A voracious reader, she excelled in school and music and participated in Rainbow, Band, and Drama. She was proud to be the valedictorian of her graduating class at Dayton High School.

Carmi went on to Washington State University (WSU) for one semester. She returned home to work at the Green Giant Cannery where she met William (Bill) Thompson. After their first date, Bill and Carmi dated every night for the next 21 nights, until Bill proposed. They were married the following spring on March 26, 1961, and moved to Pullman, where Bill finished his last semester of college at WSU. Bill got his first teaching job in Forks, Wash., where they were blessed with a daughter, Kimberley, and a son, Michael. During that time, Carmi continued to make lasting friendships. She was a master at creating elaborate costumes for Halloween, learned to play bridge, and was an enthusiastic room mother for the children as they entered school.

In 1971 the family moved to the Skagit Valley where Bill took a position at Burlington-Edison High School. The family settled in Burlington where they would live for the next 30 years and welcome two more sons Mark and James. Carmi went to work as a ward clerk at United General Hospital, then worked as a receptionist at a dermatology practice, and later worked for North Cascade Family Physicians as a billing specialist. She was active in the Burlington United Methodist Church, serving on the church board, performing as organist, and playing piano for the choir and at weddings.

After the children were grown, Carmi returned to school completing her BA in Spanish with a TESOL certificate from Western Washington University. After graduation, she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer for two years at SeaMar Community Health.

Later she would open a daycare–Carmi's Kids Place. She and Bill enjoyed the kids and became especially attached to Emily and Jenny Hoyt, and Tucker and Taylor Zemple, to whom Carmi remained close until her death. Once she retired and closed the daycare, Carmi continued to keep active sewing and gardening with Bill and volunteering in ESL courses at Skagit Valley College.

After Bill's death in 2012, Carmi reconnected with a high school classmate, Jim McCauley. Carmi spent the next several years dividing her time between Mount Vernon, Wash., and Hamilton, Mont.

Carmi was preceded in death by her parents, Lora and Sherb Cummings, Joseph Suarez, and by her husband of 51 years Bill Thompson.

-Submitted photo

Carmelia Ann Thompson

Carmi is survived by four children Kim (Laurel), Michael (Lori), Mark (Michelle), and James; two grandchildren, Ella Thompson, and Julia Adams (Jesse); three great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Matthew, and Madeleine Adams; her brother Michael Cummings (Beverly); Half-sisters Ysabel Suarez, Karen Suarez, and Sharon Kemper Suarez; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; as well as extended family Tammy, Tony, Tucker, and Taylor Zemple.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Pat Brady, who showed us what true friendship looks like, neighbors Chris Hebron, the Nichols and Perry families, Continuum Hospice, and The Terrace at Beverly Lake Memory Care Residence for their kindness and tender care.

A celebration of life will be held at the Allen United Methodist Church, 16775 Allen West Road Bow, Wash., on October 1, 2022, at 1 p.m. A graveside service will be held at the Dayton City Cemetery in Dayton, Wash., on October 8, 2022, at 12 p.m. (noon). In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Skagit Valley Neighbors in Need, or the Alzheimer's Association.