Shirley Marie Thompson

Shirley Marie Walker Thompson, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 8, 2019, surrounded by her family and friends.  She was under the care of Bridgeview Estates nursing facility.

Shirley was born on December 24, 1930, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Clyde Leroy and Mabel Leone Price Walker.  She and her younger sister, Marilyn Joy, grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and Idaho Falls, Idaho.  She graduated from South high school in Salt Lake City, Utah, and attended Brigham Young University Provo in 1948.  She worked for Deseret Book during this time.

In June 1951, she married Ronald Kidd Galloway in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised three sons, Ronald Brent, Craig Walker, and Darel Clyde. Their marriage ended in divorce.  Later in life, Shirley met the love of her life Richard Clair Thompson.  From that union was born a son, Kim Alan. They were sealed as a family in the Jordon River Temple on May 5, 1990. After 29 years of marriage, Richard passed away on May 30, 2015.

Shirley was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. She served in various callings in the church such as, Ward/Stake Primary, Young Women & Relief Society presidents.   She and Richard served an honorable mission in Manchester, New Hampshire from 1993-95. They also served in the Boise LDS Temple as temple workers for several years. Shirley loved the gospel and had a strong testimony of its truthfulness.  She and Richard loved doing family history/temple work for their kindred dead. 

She worked as an executive secretary in the Utah State University Extension office, she also sold Avon & World Book Encyclopedia and was later employed at College of Southern Idaho Office on Aging in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Shirley was a wonderful homemaker & excellent cook.  She loved working with youth and the 4-H program.  She enjoyed dancing, playing the piano, and loved to travel.  She had a beautiful Soprano voice and would share this talent at firesides, sacrament meetings and special events.  She performed in many plays during her high school years.  Shirley knew shorthand and would use it to record blessings and special events.  She could type 80 wpm and at times the typewriter had a hard time keeping up with her quick speed.

She had an infectious laugh that usually led to happy tears. Shirley knew how to live & enjoy life.  She had many friends that loved and adored her, and some became life-long friends including Joy Hobbs, Carol Goldsberry, Fern Hamilton, Darlene Murdock, Dixie Whitaker, Irene Pratt, and Marie Haddon.  Special friends Barbara and Don helped her nursing home days be bright and happy, while living at Bridgeview.

Shirley had caring nurses and CNA’s that prayed and sang to her.  It was wonderful to see the outpouring of love that came from each team member who cared for her.  We can’t thank them enough for all they did for our mother.

Shirley and her family looked forward to attending the half hour sacrament meeting that was held each week at Bridgeview.  They were so grateful for her sweet, kind ward family that looked after her so carefully, as it made all the difference in the world in each of their lives.  The family would like to thank the East Brook ward, Bishop Ames, Marc & Kate Williams, Steve and Sherry Albrecht, and many others for the love and support they have given to our mother and our family over the past year and a half and during this difficult time of her passing. We are so thankful for this wonderful service they provide for the residents at Bridgeview.

We will miss our loving, kind, spiritual mother, grandmother, and friend, whose quick wit and positive attitude were felt by all who knew her.  She was genuine, fun, and loved everyone.  She had no enemies. Shirley cherished all walks of life and was no respecter of persons.

She is survived by her sons Darel (Beth Anne) Galloway, Kingston, Washington, Kim (Kristie) Thompson, of Twin Falls, Idaho, stepson Steve Thompson, Idaho Falls, Idaho, stepdaughters Georgia Lewis, Salina Utah, Kelly (Phil) Owens, Boise, Idaho, daughters-in-law Donna Galloway of Twin Falls, Idaho, Vicki Galloway, Salt Lake City, Utah, Darla Anderson, Salt Lake City, Utah, Debbie Martindale, Boise, Idaho with 16 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren and counting.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Clair Thompson, her parents, Clyde and Mabel Walker, her sister Marilyn Marble and two sons, Ronald and Craig Galloway, and stepson Skip Lewis.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m., Saturday August 17, 2019, at Rosenau Funeral Home, 2826 Addison Avenue East, Twin Falls, Idaho. The family will receive friends from 2-2:45 prior to services.