ALBANY—Alice B. Thompson, aged 86, passed peacefully away February 9 at Albany Medical Center, after complications from a medical procedure. She is survived by: many loving friends; her cousins, Doretha Tolliver, Sonora (Lance) Ray, David Lumpkin and Sylvester Lumpkin; many other cousins and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by: her mother, Gertrude Heard; her aunt, Eleanor Thompson; cousin, Dorothy Thompson, and her uncles, James, Clarence and Raymond Thompson.
Her life story is quite amazing. She was born in Hudson, August 11, 1938 to her mother, Gertrude Heard. She lived most of her young life as a resident of Wassaic Developmental Center, where she learned reading, writing, arithmetic and many handcrafts. She was always a lively, engaging person. In her early 20s she moved from Wassaic to Columbia County, where she lived in various family care residences. Her energetic and independent spirit and skills were noticed while she was working at Columbia County ARC and she was offered a position as a cleaning person at the Eleanor Roosevelt Developmental Services (ERDS) in Valatie, where she worked until her retirement. While employed at ERDS she developed strong life-long friendships with many of the people who worked there. Several years later she left family care and began to live independently in Chatham. In 2021 she moved to a studio apartment in Camphill Ghent. While there, her relationships with her neighbors blossomed into great friendships as they shared their lives and celebrations. In August last year, she joined the assisted-living residence at Camphill Ghent. Once again, she quickly formed friendships and fully participated in the many cultural, festival and craft activities that were offered. Her life-long interests included doing puzzles and handwork, listening to a variety of music, playing bingo, attending concerts, and traveling; but her happiest times were socializing with her friends.
Wherever she went she attracted people. Her sense of humor and ready smile were available to anyone. As a result, she gained many circles of friends including local bowling leagues, the Columbia County Office of Aging and the Valatie Senior Center. She was a member of the Payne AME Church in Chatham.
A memorial service will be held in her honor Tuesday, February 25, 3 p.m. in the Cultural Hall at Camphill Ghent, 2542 Route 66, Chatham. Interment in the West Ghent Cemetery will follow in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to the Payne AME Church, 6 High Street, Chatham 12037, and/or Camphill Ghent 2542 Route 66 Chatham. Condolences may be conveyed at FrenchBlasl.com.
