Saturday, April 27, 2024
Glendene Thompson, 93, loving mother of four, and the devoted wife to her late husband, Leslie Thompson, passed away gracefully in Wenatchee on January 18, 2024.
Glendene was born in Texarkana, Texas in 1930 and grew up as part of a large, loving family that included eight brothers and sisters. Her family settled in East Wenatchee when Glendene was a teenager. She met her husband Leslie in Leavenworth and they were married in 1948. They lived initially in Leavenworth before settling permanently in Peshastin, where they raised their four children.
Glendene was the most optimistic, positive person we have known. She frequently reminded us that there is always, always something to be thankful for. She was a loving, caring mother, and human being. Her endearing qualities of unconditional love, strength of spirit, and unending generosity could be seen in her care for her family and countless others.
Glendene was passionate, almost driven, about anything she made up her mind to do. She would get up with the sun to 'greet the day in the garden' and pull weeds while it was cool. Raising four young children in the 1950's, she made most of the clothing for her family. As a custom seamstress, she made beautifully crafted stuffed animals, Apple Blossom float gowns, cheer leading uniforms, and Leavenworth Bavarian costumes. She also made hand tied quilts that she entered in the Chelan County Fair and was awarded several blue ribbons. She loved gardening and flowers. Her passion for gardening included the use of organic techniques including composting long before it was fashionable. In her later years living in Wenatchee, Glendene referred to her flower garden as her “little patch of heaven”. She was a long-time member of the Peshastin Church of Christ. She loved to read and frequently visited the Peshastin Library with her children, and in her later years, she was a frequent visitor to the Public Library in Wenatchee.
To Glendene, her belief was that life is just a stepping-stone….a pause before we make it home. She wanted to convey the following words from the poem “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me”:
When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart. For every time you think of me, I’m right there in your heart.
Glendene is survived by her brother, Steven Bellamy of Riverside, California, her brother William Bellamy of West Plains, Missouri, and her sister, Linda Jo Bellamy of Fargo, North Dakota. She is also survived by her four children, Jean Postlethwaite of East Wenatchee, Peggy Thompson of East Wenatchee, Mary Darlington (and Van Darlington) of Leavenworth, and Leo Thompson (and Ruth Ann Thompson) of Kennewick. Glendene is also survived by her seven grandchildren including Brynn Fernandez, Tim Toulouse, Michael Darlington, Lucas Thompson, Allyssa Howell, Sam Thompson, and Lauryn Thompson. Glendene was blessed with seven great grandchildren.
The family will hold a celebration of life service May 18 in Leavenworth at Mary and Van Darlington’s home.
Arrangements Assisted by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.
