Elizabeth "Betty" Thompson's Obituary
Elizabeth “Betty” Thompson, age 86, passed away peacefully in Grand Haven, MI, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, following a long illness. Betty was a resident of Grand Haven since 1976, where she was an active and beloved member of the community who will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Betty moved to Grand Haven with her husband, Terry (“TJ”) Thompson, then a member of the US Coast Guard serving as Officer-in-Charge of Coast Guard Station Grand Haven. Betty was a Registered Nurse at North Ottawa Community Hospital for almost four decades and was recognized as “Nurse of the Year” in 2001. Over her career at North Ottawa Community Hospital, she worked as a MedSurg Nurse, an OB Nurse, an Emergency Room Nurse, and ultimately finished her career as an Operating Room Nurse. Betty was born on January 19, 1939, to James and Frances (Bettes) McMillan in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She grew up in Wyandotte and St. Ignace, Michigan, and went on to receive her nursing degree from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She married Terry “TJ” Thompson in 1960, and the two of them had two children and spent many wonderful years building a life together until he preceded her in death in 2013.
Betty was passionate about life and giving back to the community. An avid and voracious reader, she spent many years as a volunteer at the Loutit District Library in Grand Haven. She was a regular volunteer supporting the American Legion in Grand Haven and was a longtime congregant at the United Methodist Church of the Dunes where she was a Stephen minister. Betty will be best remembered for her commitment to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Any interest or hobby of her children or grandchildren instantly became her interest. She passed her love of learning, education, music and the arts to them and took tremendous pride in their accomplishments. She was committed to her many friends in the community, who will remember her for always being available in their times of need, many of whom reciprocated her love and support during her time of illness.
Betty is survived by her children and their spouses, James Thompson (Sandra), a corporate and international attorney now residing in Ann Arbor MI, and Michael Thompson (Maren), an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon at Scripps Clinic and US Navy Veteran, in San Diego CA; five grandsons, Ryan, Alexander, Christopher, Matthew and Michael, and one great-granddaughter and great-grandson; five siblings and their families: James McMillan, Miriam Champion, Laurel Lannen, Marcia Murray and Duncan McMillan; close friend Cathy Bingham and countless other friends and extended relatives. We would also like to thank the dedicated and compassionate staff of Lakeshore Assisted Living Homes in Grand Haven and Julia Parker of Coastal Connect.
A Celebration of Life will be held to commemorate her life at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 23, at the United Methodist Church of the Dunes, 717 Sheldon Rd, Grand Haven, MI, 49417. Following the service there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments. For those unable to attend the service in person you can watch the livestream of the service here: Elizabeth Thompson Service Livestream. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Loutit District Library in Grand Haven or the United Methodist Church of the Dunes. Arrangements entrusted to The Vanzantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI, 49417.
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