Margaret Carroll Thompson

Margaret Carroll Louise Thompson, 88, of Vancouver, Wash., formerly of Warrenton, died Monday, April 2, 2012, in Vancouver.

She was born April 16, 1923, in Bend, to Ed and Hertha (Harms) Carroll.

In 1941, she graduated from high school in Redmond. She worked at the Kaiser Shipyards in Vancouver as a welder on war ships. After World War II, she moved to Astoria.

In 1946, she married Theodore “Ted” Thompson in Astoria. He preceded her in death Nov. 22, 1992.

Mrs. Thompson and her husband worked side-by-side, building and remodeling houses and operating the restaurant at the Lower Columbia Bowling Alley. Later, they moved to Seaside and owned and operated the Ocean Vista Motel.

Family members said she spent her retirement helping others. She was known in the community for her Children’s Christmas Party, giving stuffed animals and goodie bags to children who might not have had much for Christmas. In 1996, she organized a flood relief program for the people of Vernonia, recruiting a crew of volunteers. Truckloads of goods donated by merchants and neighbors found their way to flood victims via her garage. She visited people in nursing homes, did hair for the ladies, provided transportation and brought cheer to many. On several occasions she opened her home to friends and family who stayed until their last days.

Family members said she had a passion for natural beauty and her home in Cullaby Lake was the product of her hard work and flare for landscaping.

She is survived by a sister, Joyce Gangle of Beaverton; three sons, Richard Owens and his wife, Sherry, of Tigard, Alan Thompson and his wife, Sharon, of Camas, Wash., and Ted Thompson of Sidney, British Columbia; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Millie Fillmore and Mitzi Ludlow; and a brother, Bud Carroll.

A memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Warrenton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer Presbyterian Church, 33324 Patriot Way, Warrenton, OR 97146 or Veterans of Foreign Wars, P.O. Box 8911, Topeka, KS 66608-8911.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com