Virginia F. ‘Ginny’ Thompson, obituary

Wed, 09/23/2020 - 3:15pm

ROCKLAND — Virginia F. ‘Ginny’ Thompson, 73, went home to be with her Lord, Thursday, September 10, 2020, at the Sussman House in Rockport. Her beloved husband Larry, was holding her hand at that time.

Ginny was born in Rockland, June 4, 1947, the daughter of John and Virginia Smith Gladych, and resided here until the age of five.

Her family then moved to Germany, where her father was stationed with the U.S. Army. While living in Germany, Ginny was burned over 20% of her body in a tragic fire. She was hospitalized for more than three months and endured several skin graft operations. Later in life, she gave God the Glory for this experience, which she believed shaped her personality to always strive for excellence and never give up the battle.

Her father’s next military assignment, took her family to Fort Ord, California, where she continued her education which began in Germany. She always told the story that she attended nine different schools before graduating from Seaside High School in Monterey County, California.

After marrying she lived in Kentucky where she devoted herself as a homemaker and mother and worked as a waitress. After moving back to California, she became a dental technician.

In 1975, she met Larry Thompson. Larry and Ginny married October 14, 1978. Ginny had already been introduced to Larry’s work as an independent trucker, but she was thrilled as he taught her how to drive a truck herself and eventually he bought Ginny her own truck. Together, they built that business to include six trucks.

During this time an opportunity arose for Ginny and Larry to trade one of their trucks for a small pizza business. Never having made a single pizza, they discussed it a moment and then jumped right in. For more several years while still operating ‘Larry Thompson Trucking’, they ran ‘The Pizza Korner’ in Gonzales, CA. Always wanting to help others, she also devoted many hours as a volunteer at the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.

After moving to the “the Central Valley,” Ginny and Larry were active members in the Victory Life Center. Ginny volunteered her time making that church’s Love Center Thrift Shop, a vibrant, respected and profitable
endeavor. She was also active in creating and distributing Thanksgiving Gift Boxes. Recalling her involvement in the church, Ginny’s husband said, “She was truly gifted with excellence and could always create beauty out of chaos.”

Ginny’s next endeavor found she and Larry starting an auto hauling business aptly named, Virginia Transport. Together they grew that business to include five trucks, covering central and southern California. She served as
office manager, dispatcher, accountant and force that kept the business rolling smoothly.

Ginny became an active member of the House Modesto, formerly, Calvary Temple Worship Center in Modesto, where she sang in the choir, coordinated all the Christmas decorations and served as an assistant with the Glen Berteau Ministries.

After retiring, Ginny and Larry moved to Rockland in 2017. They ultimately found their church home at Anchor Church in Rockport.

Other than her husband Larry, Ginny is survived by two daughters, Sherry DeDampierre of Carmel, California, and Heather Mason of Seaside, California; two step-children and their spouses, Larry W. and April Thompson of Pine Grove, California, and Brenda and Brandon Nunes of Modesto, California; as well as several nieces and nephews and nine grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in the Spring of 2021 at a location to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Anchor Church, Missions Fund, 3 Cross Street, Rockport, Maine 04856.

To share a memory or story with Ginny’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.