Vivian Fanilla Thompson
POLSON — Vivian Fanilla Thompson, 94, of Polson, died peacefully in the presence of her daughters on Dec. 15, 2006, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
Born Sept. 25, 1912, at the family homestead in Irvine Flats near Polson, to John & Alice (McCarthy) Smith, she attended elementary school at the Green Mountain School and graduated from Polson High School.
In 1936, she married Carroll Walden Thompson in Polson. During the early war years they lived in Vancouver, Wash., later moving to Carroll's hometown in Iowa, then to St. Ignatius for two years and returning to Polson in 1958.
Carroll and Vivian joined the Methodist Church where she became known as "The Flower Lady." She provided beautiful floral arrangements from her garden for the church altar for over 16 years. Vivian was one of the oldest active members of the First United Methodist Church of Polson.
Vivian was blessed with many passions, which included flowers, gardening, quilting and dancing. Vivian's main love was flowers. Vivian was a member of the Garden Club for 35 years and had collected more than 100 flower show ribbons.
She shared the love of quilting with her many friends. Her children and grandchildren were the recipients of these beautiful hand-stitched heirlooms.
Her love of the outdoors and her garden produced the fruits of her labors, which she shared with friends, family and the community.
Vivian was active for decades with the Methodist Women's Society, Garden Club & Hobby Club. She will be remembered for her unconditional love and her generosity of time to her dear family and friends.
She enjoyed sharing her collection of photo albums and scrapbooks. She loved to dance and was delighted to have the opportunity to do so at the celebration of her 90th birthday party at the Polson Senior Citizens Center.
She was preceded in death by her son Owen Dale Thompson in March 1994; husband Carroll W. Thompson; her parents, and four brothers, Dan, Allen, Stanley and Paul Smith.
She is survived by two daughters, Beverly Jean Blake and son-in-law Larry N. Blake of Beverly Hills, Calif., and Judy Carol Gilmore of Bellevue, Wash., and Bob Gilmore of Houston, Texas; daughter-in-law Joan Thompson Hardier of Bothell, Wash., and 10 grandchildren, Brad Thompson and wife Jennifer and their children Bailey and Braden of Everett, Wash.; Erik Thompson and wife Stephanie and their children, McClain and Kenton of Monroe, Wash.; Craig Thompson and wife Lydia and their son Cooper of Everett; Theresa Kaleta and husband Glenn and their children, Katie and Ella, of Bothell; Brett Blake and wife Patricia and their children, Brett Ashley and Gabriel of Seattle, Justin Blake of Phoenix, Joshua Blake and wife Rachel of Seattle; Jaime Gilmore of Sherman Oaks, Calif., Ashley Gilmore of Yakima, Robert Ryan Gilmore of Bellevue; sister Dorothy Thompson of Missoula; sister-in-law Donna Smith of Polson, and many beloved nieces, nephews and family members.
A funeral service was held to celebrate Vivian's life at the First United Methodist Church of Polson Dec. 19 with the Rev. Donna Young officiating. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery.
For memorial suggestions please contact Grogan Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to www.groganfuneralhome.com