Virginia Thompson

Virginia was born October 20, 1931 in Burlington, Vermont. 

Daughter of the late Cecil R. Shipman and Ethelyn McCuin Shipman, Virginia grew up on a dairy and maple sugaring farm in Waterville, Vermont with her parents, brothers, grandfather and uncle.

She received her elementary education at the Locke School, Waterville, Vermont.  Her teachers were Edwinna Locke, Phyllis Jwett, Margie Manchester, Evelyn LaPan and Rosalin Lindner.

In 1949 she graduated from Cambridge High School in Jeffersonville, Vermont.  She rode Zach Whitings school bus for four years.  She graduated from Johnson State College in 1953 with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education.

Virginia married Reginald C. Thompson on June 29, 1952 at the Belvidere Junction Church in Belvidere, Vermont.  Her husband predeceased her in April of 2003.

Virginia taught school in the State of Vermont for 36 years.  She was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1986.  Her first year of teaching was in Belvidere, Vermont, moving on to Eden Underhill I.D. and the last 30 years at Cambridge Elementary in Jeffersonville, VT.  She was Principal at Underhill I.D. and a few years at Cambridge Elementary.

As a teenager, Virginia began helping out at Vacation Bible School, working with Gwendolyn Mann, Doris Hartman and Lenora Locke.  Later years in Jeffersonville, Virginia taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and was secretary for church business meetings.  She also worked at many church dinners.

After retirement from teaching, Virginia was often called to substitute at Cambridge, Belvidere and Waterville; later also in Fayette, Missouri.

In November 1994, Virginia and her husband drove from Belvidere, VT to Fayette, MO, a total of 1,350 miles to live near their son, Mark and family and to live the remainder of their lives in Fayette.  In May of 1995, Virginia and Reginald drove to Nogal, New Mexico to visit their eldest son, Gordon and family.

In Fayette, Virginia enjoyed teaching young students at Faith Family Church for 30 years.  Many times, students came to her home for help with their school work.  Virginia loved children, and spent her life teaching them and having fun with them.

Andrew Simmons came to Virginia and Reg’s home at the age of 9 months as Ms. Virginia was his beloved babysitter.  He was great entertainment and kept Ms. Virginia young.

Virginia will be remembered for her apple pie and maple sugar on snow.  Children in the area will remember her for her miniature horse (Casey) rides in the cart and all who knew her will remember how she loved to tell stories of her life in Vermont and her big laugh.  Virginia loved to dance.

Virginia is survived by two daughters-in-law, their children and grandchildren; Cynthia Thompson of Ruidoso, New Mexico and Judy Thompson of Fayette Missouri.  Two granddaughters, Sarah (Chris) Suski of Albuquerque, NM and Janelle (Andrew) Palmer of Ashland, MO.  Six great grandchildren, Randall Suski-Oppedahl, Arwen and Zachary Suski, Cade, Brooks and Berkeley Palmer, sister-in-law, Muriel Shipman of Cambridge, VT, a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.  Her dear childhood friend, Greta Ingalls survives in Vermont as well.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Ethelyn Shipman, two brothers, Herbert Shipman and Stanley Shipman, one sister-in-law, Carol Shipman, husband Reginald Thompson and sons, Gordon Thompson and Mark Thompson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Faith Family Church, Fayette, MO on Saturday, February 28, 2026 with visitation at 10:00 am and service at 11:00 am.  Lunch will follow at the church.  The service will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend.  Graveside services will be held at a later date at Mountain View Cemetery in Waterville, Vermont as Virginia will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Memorial contributions can be made to Faith Family Church.

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