Mary Jean Thompson passed away Saturday, December 12, 2020 at the age of 64 years, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary Jean was beloved by her family and is survived by her husband of 30 years, Barry. She is also survived by her children, Mike Long (Michelle), Dave Long, Greg Thompson (Serenity Marr), and Megan Thompson (Chandler Irvin); by her mother, Kay Bowes, brother, Bob Bowes, and sisters, Joan Cox (Brad), and Sandy Brown; her grandson Barrett, and her many loved nieces and nephews. Mary Jean would have also wanted everyone to know about her special cat, Bongo. She was predeceased by her sister, Pat Bowes and her father, Bazil Bowes. Mary Jean was born and raised in Medicine Hat, graduating from McCoy High School. In the early 1980s, as a single mother of two young children, she made the courageous choice to go back to school and become a registered nurse. She continued her education with determination and passion throughout her life. As a mother of four she completed a master’s degree in human services in 1995, and a master’s degree in professional counseling in 1997. She worked as an RN for several years prior to becoming a nursing instructor at the Medicine Hat College where she inspired and trained so many individuals before retiring in June 2020. She touched countless lives as an educator and caregiver, and tried to make nurses, and the world, better. Mary Jean would be most comfortable with a cat in her lap and a book in her hand. A voracious reader, Mary Jean would often read an entire book within one sitting. She was a tremendous pet lover and had many beloved pets over the years. She instilled this sense of love and care for animals to her family. She was an extremely strong and intelligent woman who cared about her community, volunteering on the board of the women’s shelter society and helping efforts to build the Phoenix Safe house. She also spent many hours volunteering for the Cypress School of Skating. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre and St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged Hospice for the exceptional care Mary Jean received these last months of her life. The Funeral Service will be held at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5, on Friday, December 18th, 2020 with Gary W. Goran officiating. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the service will be by family invitation only. The service will be livestreamed and available for viewing on Mary Jean’s memorial page at www.saamis.com on Friday, December 18th, 2020 at 1:30 pm. Mary Jean’s family plan to hold a Celebration of her Life in the summer or when Covid-19 restrictions allow. Information to be posted at a later date. Memorial gifts in Mary Jean’s memory may be made to the S.P.C.A., 55 Southview Drive SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8 or to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre c/o Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation, 666 – 5th Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4H6. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Mary Jean Thompson. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
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December 12th 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Mary Jean Catherine Thompson Bowes December 12th 2020..
Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel and Crematorium
Décès pour la Ville: Medicine-Hat, Province: Alberta