Joyce Erma Thompson

Joyce Erma Thompson, age 88, of Ferndale passed away, Wednesday, February 13, 2013 surrounded by her loving family at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham. She was born March 23, 1924 in Wenatchee, Washington to parents Merton McKinley and Jennie (Garfield) Mercer. Her parents bought a farm in Haynie (Custer) in 1926 and she lived in the Custer/Ferndale area for over 86 years. In 1942 she married Kenneth Thompson “the boy next door”. Kenny preceded her in death in Oct. of 2003. While Kenny served in the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII, Joyce was painting B-17 fuel tanks at the Carnation Plant in Ferndale. She graduated from Custer High School in the class of 1942, attended Bellingham Business College and worked in various Real Estate offices. At the age of 40 she received her LPN Nurses certification and worked 16 years as a nurse. Joyce taught Sunday School for 15 years at Birch Bay Bible Mennonite Church and always encouraged neighborhood kids to attend Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was a Charter member of Good News Fellowship Church where she was active in Women’s prayer groups and bible studies. “My goal in life is help others, not for praise of men, but for the glory of God. I have found peace, joy and happiness in doing this”. Joyce enjoyed flowers, gardening, crafts, painting pictures, swim aerobics and bird watching. Most of all she loved and enjoyed being with her family. She is survived by her sons, Stanley (Florence), Allen (Lisa), Galen (Patricia) and daughter, Connie Baldwin (Bruce); grandchildren, Cindy Maher, Brian Baldwin, Sean Thompson, Dana Thompson, Bret Thompson, April Behrman, Wyatt and Dylan Thompson, Joe Thompson, Lucy McNeely and Ben Thompson; 12 great grandchildren; sisters, Betty Selene, Darlene Rupp and Shirley Chapman; sisters in-law, Ruth and Helen Mercer. A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 1:00 PM at Good News Fellowship Church, 1252 W. Axton Road, Ferndale, WA 98248, with Dr. Skip Suess officiating. A private family burial will be at Greenacres Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to either Good News Fellowship Church or Whatcom Hospice, 2806 Douglas Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225