ROCKLAND — Beryl N. Thompson, 81, died peacefully June 30, 2015, surrounded by her loving family, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born Aug. 2, 1933, in South Bristol, she was the daughter of Sumner and Helen Nason McFarland. Educated locally, she graduated from South Bristol High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1951.

On Sept. 27, 1952, Beryl married her high school sweetheart and soul mate, Donald P. Thompson. In the early years of their marriage, the couple lived in both Massachusetts and Connecticut as they followed Donald's Navy career. The couple settled in Rockland in 1954.

Here Beryl spent her days as a homemaker, caring for her two daughters. Family has always been her number one priority. She took great pleasure in family gatherings, always looking for an opportunity to have a get-together in her home. She loved gardening, always keeping immaculate flower beds. Watching the birds and tending her bird feeders were other favorite pastimes. As her family grew, her heart grew, and she was proud to welcome great-grandchildren into her life. She was always active in their lives, attending every school activity and sporting event that she could. Beryl was also an avid follower of New England sports teams.

Following the death of her husband in 1985, Beryl, or “Nannie” as she was affectionately known, went to work for School Administrative District 5 as a cook. Over the years she prepared hundreds of meals in each of the schools in the district. She loved her job and the children she had the opportunity to interact with each day. Even the kids at school, whether her own grandchildren or not, knew and loved her as Nannie. Beryl retired from her position in the early 2000s after more than 15 years of service.

Predeceased by her husband; six of her 10 siblings, Roland, Marshall, James, Verona, Geraldine and Victoria; and one grandchild, Troy Buzzell; Beryl is survived by her daughters, Patricia Dodge and her husband, Leroy Dodge Jr., of Liberty, and Janice Buzzell and her husband, Wayne, of Albany, N.H.; her grandchildren, Angela Matero and her husband, Timothy, of Rockland, Leo “Andy” Chase Jr. and his companion, Amanda McKenney, of Rockland, Christopher Buzzell and his wife, Anne, of Georgia, and Donald Buzzell and Ashley Buzzell, both of New Hampshire; her great-grandchildren, Aaron Ecker and his wife, Lindsey, Ryan Ecker, Cody Chase, Jordan Matero, Alexandrea Chase, Kaia Beryl Chase, Leo A. Chase III and Jacob Buzzell; her siblings, Sumner McFarland, Arthur McFarland, Rita Sewall and Evelyn Ball; a special friend who was like a sister, Sally Fowler of South Thomaston; as well as many, many special nieces and nephews who were all close to her heart.

At Beryl's request, the family will remember her life privately as she is laid to rest beside her beloved husband in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rockland Congregational Church, Abiding Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 554, Rockland, ME 04841.