Evelyn V. Thomson

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Thomson, Evelyn V. Evelyn Vir- ginia Thomas Thomson passed away peacefully on February 3, 2019, at the age of 100, surrounded by family. She was born August 28, 1918, in Yankton, SD, the only child of the town's pharmacist, Cornelius Corbin Thomas, and Talitha Alice Cook, of Swiss ancestry. Evelyn's parents each died at a young age, in a time when a pharmacist's tools of the trade did not include the sulfa or penicillin drugs which might have cured them. Thereafter she was on her own, finishing just a year of college after high school in both Yankton and Boston. She loved chemistry and Latin! But practicalities of the 1930's Depression meant moving to Minneapolis and earning a living. She took a house on Irving Avenue in Kenwood with five young women all working downtown, attended business college, and became an actuarial assistant at the Foshay Tower -- "8th floor!" -- as she proudly pointed out whenever viewing the Tower in later years. Married in 1945, she and our dad enjoyed 63 years together, bringing up four children. Mom centered her life at home, caring to create the family she lost at a young age. She started us out in Kenwood, later moving to Washburn Park and finally, in 1961, to her beloved Christmas Lake. She was the heartbeat of the Thomson family, opening her home on countless occasions for celebrations of so many of life's events. Organized, efficient, intuitive, and kind beyond measure, she was the best CEO a family could ever have. She loved life on the lake, swimming until age 98! The results of her gourmet cooking classes became the delight of legendary family gatherings. Traveling with all of us in tow and, later, more widely with our dad, she preferred a trip to Switzerland above all. Summer "cocktail cruises" on her pontoon boat circled back to our dock flying the Swiss flag. She loved her family and made her investments of time and attention right there. Her children remember an idyllic childhood, feeling richly loved. We benefited greatly and can only strive to repeat her example. Of no small benefit to us was our memorization of Latin declensions at her knee! As a volunteer, Evelyn made use of her leadership skills, guiding the Women's Christian Association to substantial profit when she engineered the sale of the air rights of Paige Hall to the developers of the Piper Jaffray Tower (commemorated by the Evelyn V. Thomson Skyway). Evelyn served on the Abbott Hospital Auxiliary and on school PTAs, and was deeply involved with Plymouth Congregational Church, volunteering on many levels. She was a recipient of the WCCO "Good Neighbor" award. Predeceased by her husband Richard Beard Thomson and son-in-law John Sandbo, Evelyn is survived by children Jean, Martha Mason, Dick, and Dean; son-in-law Stuart Mason; and daughters-in-law Saissy and Susan, respectively. Her nine grandchildren adored their Grammie, who was a constant fixture in their early lives and confidante to all: Sarah Jean Mason Mitchell (Ned); Elinor Mason (fiancé Brendan Mullins); Mark; Jim (Andrea); Bill (Amanda); Richard Beard II (Amanda); Bridget (fiancé Michael Burke); Daniel; and the youngest, Samuel Thomas. In her 99th year, Grammie, to her delight, became a great-grandmother to more Thomsons: Julia Ann, Henry Mark, and Scarlett Ella. She also counted as family Betsy Taylor Thomson; all members of the families of her in-laws; and our family's Rees cousins. It was her children's great privilege having their precious mother live with them these past years. We witnessed on a daily basis her intentional practice of cheerfulness. She brought her sparkle to all those she met, and we will miss her endearing laugh. She was a cherished Grammie beyond her family. We will forever remember her gracious and welcoming nature, and her invariably positive, joyful demeanor. May our mother rest in peace. A service of remembrance will be held in the spring; notice will be given at a later time. Memorials in Evelyn's name may be directed to Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis; the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum; or Giving Voice Initiative, a chorus composed of people with dementia and their care partners, in which Evelyn sang, with joy.   

Published on February 10, 2019