Erma Thompson
THOMPSON, Erma, 88, PRESQUE ISLE & EASTON, at Caribou, May 22, 2012. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Homes, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE & EASTON – Erma Thompson, 88, formerly of Easton, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at the Caribou Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Erma was born in Easton on May 8, 1924, to J. Nesbitt and Gladys (Flewelling) Porter.
Erma graduated from Easton High School in 1941 and Machias Normal School in 1943. She married V. Ernest Thompson on June 21, 1944, in a home ceremony at River de Chute, Easton. They resided on the Station Road, Easton, where Ernest worked the family farm for many years.
After being a homemaker on the farm in Easton for many years, Erma pursued a second career as a teacher. In August 1962, she took a position as a fifth grade teacher at Fort Fairfield, where she taught for two years. She then took a fifth grade position at Easton Intermediate School in 1964. She later transitioned to a first grade position. In addition to teaching, Erma returned to college to add a fourth year to her teaching degree during this time. She completed this degree in 1973. She remained at Easton Elementary School where she was a devoted teacher who took particular pride in teaching students to read until her retirement June 30, 1989.
Following Ernest’s death in 1986 and her retirement in 1989, Erma sold the home in Easton and moved to Presque Isle. She enjoyed her family, friends and traveling. She was an active member of the Easton United Methodist Church for more than 50 years and also a member of the Easton UMW. Her positive attitude and her cheerfulness will be greatly missed.
Erma is survived by her children, Diane Duplessie and her husband, Phil of Presque Isle, and Merton Thompson and his wife, Marcia of St. Cloud, Minnesota; grandchildren, Krista Hansen of Beaverton, Oregon, Melissa Thompson of Washington, D.C., and Melanie Thompson of St. Paul, MN; step-grandchild, Philip (Shannon) Duplessie of Caribou; and step-great-grandchildren, Macy, Megan and Kevin of Caribou; and two special people in her life, Jon Wornstaff and Nicholas Lund of Beaverton, Oregon. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins, as well as longtime friend, Phyllis James.
Erma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest, on September 10, 1986; and her sister, Helen Ames.
Funeral services were held 2 p.m., Friday May 25, 2012, at the Easton Methodist Church with Pastor Sue Brown officiating. Visitation was from 1 p.m. until time of service at the church.
The family would like to thank Caribou Nursing Home as well as Leisure Village for her excellent care and also the many friends that she had there. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory can be made to the Easton Methodist Church, P.O. Box 24, Easton, ME 04740. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com
