Mary L Thompson

Mary Lee Thompson (née Hansburger) slipped peacefully into the arms of her Lord Tuesday October 10, 2023. She is preceded in death by two sisters, a brother, and by her beloved husband, Gene. Born April 28, 1924 in Worthington, Minnesota, she left home after high school graduation in 1942, eventually joining her sister Kathryn in southern California. There she met the father of her three children: Scott Sisson of Corpus Christi, Texas, Crysta Pefley of Palm City, Florida and Shannon Reitz of Burbank, California; all of whom survive her. Also, she is survived by five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was of Alsatian and British stock, but never knew her mother who died giving her birth. Since leaving Worthington in 1942, she lived in no less than nine cities in the continental United States, finally ending up in Stuart Florida after the death of her second husband Gene Thompson of Indianapolis. After having her first born in 1949, she became a stay-at-home mom until her children entered their teens. Thereafter, she worked retail until becoming an entrepreneur. Having studied under and modeling for Patricia Stevens Model Casting Service of Hollywood California in the 40s, she initiated, owned and operated a modeling studio and agency in Dayton, Ohio for over 20 years. After leaving Dayton with Gene for Cleveland, she continued the endeavor as a private modeling and charm tutor and promoter/moderator of fashion shows for several shopping malls in the Cleveland area before Gene’s retirement to Hernando, Florida. She was a beautiful, brilliant and savvy women, accomplished entertainer and conversationalist to which friends and family can all attest. “Each man’s death diminishes me….Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.” – John Donne 1623.