Mary Elizabeth (Hartman) Thompson

Mary was born on January 14, 1938, in Norwich, CT, daughter of Arthur Hartman and Ruth Bundy. Mary was raised in New London, CT in a two-bedroom home that she shared with her parents and four sisters. For many years she shared a bed with her twin sister, Madeline. Mary attended New London High School where she showed great talent and passion for art and sports.

Mary was a national champion softball player for the Raybestos Brakettes based in Stratford, CT. She played on the team for several years beginning in high school. A highlight was when she scored the only run in the final game of the 1958 championship with a dramatic inside-the-park homerun in the 7th inning. Mary’s softball talents were featured in a full page spread in the September 5, 1959 issue of the Saturday Evening Post.

Softball was not the only sport Mary excelled in; she was skilled in basketball, bowling, tennis, and golf as well. She won many golf tournaments at the city and state level during her years living in Alabama.

It was while working as a graphic designer at General Dynamics Electric Boat Company when she met Coast Guard Academy cadet, Bruce Thompson. They married on June 10, 1961, the same weekend he graduated from the Academy.

Mary lived in many places because of Bruce’s first career as a search and rescue pilot. They were stationed in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Miami, FL, the Philippines, Mobile, AL, St. Louis, MO and then back to Mobile where Bruce retired from the Coast Guard.

Mary and Bruce moved from Mobile to Dauphin Island, AL in 1992 because of their mutual love of the ocean and all things nautical. Mary was elected to Dauphin Island’s town council and served the community with diplomacy, one of her many strengths, for 17 years. Dauphin Island’s beauty provided inspiration for her artwork. Nautical birds and lighthouses were favorite motifs in her paintings, ceramics, needlepoints and murals.

Mary was a doer who lived a life of sacrifice and service to her husband, community and children. She said many times that raising her children was her proudest achievement. She taught by example with her no-nonsense work ethic, wise counsel, gentle humor and consistent good nature.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, husband and sisters: Ruth Auwood (Bill), Dorothy “Dot” Powers (Dick), Jean Seidel (Jack) and her twin, Madeline Kelly (Joseph).

Mary is survived by her children: Suzanne Bock of Atlanta, GA, Joanne Shannon (Lindsay) of Atlanta, GA, John Thompson (Dana) of Mobile, AL and Mary Anne Ellison (Mark) of Kansas City, MO. Also surviving her are six grandchildren: Nolan Shannon, Holden Bock, Elizabeth Thompson, Carling Bock, Dempsey Shannon, and John Thompson Jr.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date on Dauphin Island, AL where Mary and Bruce lived for 27 years.