Eleanor Lee Thompson, led fruitful life
Eleanor Lee Thompson, 87, died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, at home. She had a full and fruitful life. She is predeceased by her husband, Joseph Tunnell Thompson; her parents, George I. and Erma Tull Spicer; and her only sibling, her younger brother, George Edward Spicer.
She was born in Laurel, Dec. 9, 1926. She was raised in Laurel and graduated with special honors from Laurel High School. Receiving a scholarship in mathematics to Hood College, she chose instead to enter The Delaware Hospital School of Nursing in Wilmington where she received her R.N. in 1948.
In May of that same year she was married to Joseph Tunnell Thompson of Lewes. After a short residence in Rehoboth Beach the newlyweds moved to Wilmington. Lee served as a floor nurse at Beebe Hospital before her move to Wilmington where she nursed for some years at The Delaware Hospital.
In 1951 she gave birth to the first of her three children. She is survived by them all: Bradford George Thompson of Georgetown, William Edward Thompson of Tucson, Ariz. and Joseph Tunnell Thompson of Milton. She is also survived by her three grandchildren: Beth Ellen Lineberry of Newark, Joshua Tunnell Thompson of Milford and Matthew Neville Thompson of Wrightstown, N.J.; and by two great-grandchildren: Alexandra Dawn Lineberry and George Owen Thompson.
In 1980, Lee returned to Sussex County to be in closer proximity to her aging parents and brother. On Easter Weekend of 1981, she opened the doors to a new enterprise, a retail wicker shop in downtown Rehoboth Beach, The Wicker Garden. By 1986, the business had grown well and was moved to the highway at the intersection of Route One and Airport Road. The business was eventually renamed The Wicker Village, and remained viable until 2004.
In her retirement, Lee became an avid bridge player. She also found herself with yet a fourth career as she took over full management of her and her husband’s common family real estate concerns. Lee was an active member of the Rehoboth Beach Village Improvement Association and she served as its president for a term.
For all the years of her life, Lee was a loyal and trusted friend to many. She was a dedicated and loving daughter, sister, and wife; mother, aunt, and grandmother. Her memory will long be honored.
A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, at 3 p.m., at Lewes Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 133 Kings Hwy., Lewes. A reception and further gathering will immediately follow services back at the family's residence.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Thompson's memory to KSI Industries, Inc., 301 North Rehoboth Blvd., Milford, DE 19963 or visit their website at www.ksiinc.org.
Please visit Mrs. Thompson's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
updated 10.21.14
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