Lois Voorhees Thompson

Lois Voorhees Thompson was born on July 12th, 1940 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to parents Ruth and Edward Alan Voorhees.  She would join one other Voorhees daughter, Carol Young, her older sister.  As a child, Loie enjoyed all sports, especially swimming, diving, and horseback riding.  The Voorhees family resided in West Hartford, Connecticut and then moved to Ridgewood, NJ in 1955 as Lois’s father worked for AT&T.  That summer, before starting high school, she met Joseph Thompson at the Graydon Pool while she was practicing diving.  Lois caught Joe’s eye and they began dating that fall, they were both freshmen at Ridgewood High School.  Lois, a vivacious outgoing teenager became a cheerleader for Ridgewood and Joe played football, baseball, and basketball.  She also performed diving exhibitions along with her sister Carol under the coaching expertise of former Olympian Bobby Goldsworthy for the remaining years at Ridgewood High.  Both Lois and Joe graduated and continued their education, Lois at Centenary and Joe at Rutgers.  Loie then acquired a Master’s degree in Early Education from Trenton State College as Joe pursued his Master’s degree from Kean College.  Even though Loie and Joe continued their education at different schools, their love for each other continued to grow while spending time together on weekends in Hackettstown, NJ.

After completing their graduate studies, Lois and Joe married on June 2nd, 1962 in Wayne Pennsylvania where Lois’ parents lived.  Then shortly after, Joe and Lois moved to Hillsborough New Jersey where they raised their three children, Susan born in 1963, Joe Jr. born in 1965, and Scott born in 1968.

Lois’ love for children led her to her first job teaching children to read in a program called Title 1.  She then created and developed the First Head Start Reading Program for pre-kindergarten students in the state of New Jersey.  This was Loie’s passion; she loved each and every student and had an immense and unyielding degree of patience and determination.  Lois also enjoyed teaching Sunday School, spreading God’s word to all the children in her classes, being a good example, and letting children know how Jesus can live in their hearts.

Lois and Joe remained in the education field for more than thirty years.  Before retiring, Lois received numerous awards and accolades for her reading program that enabled little learners to thrive even in challenging family situations or environments.  She hurdled many roadblocks for all her students with strength and purpose not letting anyone stop her charge.

Lois and Joe retired and moved to Vero Beach, Florida and Keystone, Colorado.  They enjoyed golfing, skiing, hiking, biking, and spending tons of time with their 8 grandchildren.  All the grandchildren called Lois “Grandy” and loved her dearly enjoying every minute while visiting them in Florida and Colorado. She enjoyed making personalized books for each and every one of them.

Grandy especially enjoyed the Colorado Mountains (We think she loved the mountains so much because that area of the US is commonly called “God’s Country”) and hiking two of her favorite trails, Mohawk Lake and Hanging Lake, with her family and friends.  She loved moose watching in Colorado and sea turtle hatching on the beach in Vero.  While Lois’s golf game improved, even getting a hole-in-one on hole 8 at the Grand Harbor River course, she also trained for a Triathlon, then placed second in the Denver Danskin Triathlon with her daughter, Susie.

Lastly, Lois always had a smile on her face because she loved the Lord.  She knew God is always in control and that He works all things together for good for those who believe in Him.  She has God in her heart and is with him right now as we speak.  We will all miss her dearly but know God’s plan is best.  We are at peace knowing that we will see her again.

There will be a brief committal service for Lois at First Presbyterian Church, on Wednesday, July 1^st, at 2 p.m., live in the Memorial Garden. Or you can view online @firstpresvero.org to watch the service at another time.  In the near future, there will be a Celebration of Lois announced at a later date.  You may also go to the First Presbyterian website for the updated service information.

Contributions in Lois’ memory can be made to Plowshare Farm in honor of her beloved nephew, Carl Young.  Plowshare Farm is a small thriving farm community in Southern NH, where lives and work are shared, and the potential created for people who are normally care receivers to become a valued and integral part of their community.  Plowshare Farm, 32 Whitney Road, Greenfield, NH  03047.

WE ALL LOVE YOU GRANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.