Ella Geneva Thompson (George)
Geneva lived 37,149 days (101 yrs) after being born premature and weighing only 3lbs on the George farm in Danville, Quebec. She joins her husband George (Bud) Thompson – whom she was married to for 67 yrs, her son Stephen, grandson Patrick, parents Capt. Dwight and Myrtle George (nee Fearon), and brothers Bill (Sonny) and Frank.
She now protects from Heaven, her son David (Linda), her forever daughter Teri, her grandchildren Christopher, Trisha (Mike), Abbey (Jacob), Joshua (Jessica), and her great-grandchildren Kaiya, Rius, Ronan, Alyssa, Nora, and Julia. Geneva was blessed to remain close with many members of the George, Fearon, Thompson, Shanahan, and Abdallah families.
It’s hard to summarize 101 years of a well-lived life and such an incredible woman. But everything she did was rooted in her faith, compassion for others, and for those she loved.
Raised as a Montreal Canadiens fan in Lennoxville, Quebec, during the Depression and World War 2 alongside the resilient, close-knit George/Fearon clans on both sides of the Canadian/U.S. border.
After graduating as a nurse (Sherbrooke Hospital class of 1945), she moved with her family to North Bay to begin the 2nd part of her life. One of her career highlights was witnessing Dr. Penfield’s Montreal Procedure and the first dose of penicillin given to a private citizen.
Aside from marrying into the Thompsons, her other family became the Trinity United Church, where she made lifelong friends – with whom she (and Bud) would worship and travel the world. A special thank you to Judi Rose, Reverend’s Ted and Kathy, Rae Brownlee, and the many wonderful friends who visited with her at home and in the hospital and made regular phone calls to keep up her spirits.
A big shout out to the amazing staff at C3 at the North Bay Regional Hospital, “her girls” at PHARA PSW’s who cared for her this past year, Erin Deadman at the Ontario Health at Home, Harris Guardian Drug store staff and to Dr. Wendy Graham who faithfully guided decades of patient care especially through those special home visits.
It is safe to say that Geneva, a published poet, graced us all for 101 years with remarkable wit and warmth. She cherished her home and garden’s beauty, savouring DQ sundaes, talking politics, the sound of bagpipes, documenting family lore and recipes, stubbornness, humour, and finding strength in prayer. She leaves a legacy of giving to others, forgiveness, creativity, wisdom, and an enduring love for life’s simple joys.
“Let all that you do, be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
The celebration of her life will be at the end of May 2025 - more details will be shared soon.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Trinity United Church (North Bay) would be greatly appreciated and acknowledged as expressions of sympathy. Arrangements entrusted to Martyn Funeral Home.
Condolences may be offered online at www.martynfh.com.
