Myrthalyne C Thompson
November 23, 1925 - January 6, 2024
Obituary
Dr. Myrthalyne C. Thompson
Sunrise; November 23, 1925 Sunset; January 6, 2024
Born in Wisner, Nebraska, to Edwin M. Thompson and Hedwig C. (Lemke). She was preceded in death by her parents at an early age and quickly began carving out a life for herself. Myrthalyne knew early on that she wanted to leave Nebraska and travel to all the places she had heard about from family and friends and read in books. She went to Minneapolis, MN and graduated from the Cadet Nursing program at Northwestern Hospital. She entered the Army Corps but left to become a nursing instructor, soon realizing nursing also wasn’t for her. She continued her education and obtained her doctorate in psychology at Purdue University.
Myrthalyne taught at many colleges in different states but settled in Seattle, WA and taught at Seattle Pacific University. She loved Washington and her job as head of the Psychology Department at SPU. She impacted the lives of many students and colleagues, whom she remained friends with throughout the years.
Myrth never worked in the summers so that she could travel. She lived a life full of many accomplishments and adventures. Retiring after 19 years at SPU, she continued to travel to many places, near and far, and more than once. She loved taking cruises, RVing, music, dancing, playing the organ, reading, learning, telling stories, being in the company of friends, and always making new ones. She was so delightful and had a true zest for life, always planning fun things to do and places to travel to, right up to the very end.
Myrth, don’t forget to ask God for the itinerary.
Asleep in Jesus! Peaceful rest,
Whose waking is supremely blessed…
Family and friends will have a private “Celebration of Life” service.
In Lieu of flowers, donations to Seattle Pacific University would be appreciated.
Dr Thompson was my mentor. Her enthusiasm for psychology and her students was contagious. In her experimental psych course she encouraged us to do original research, write our experiment up in APA style, and present at scholarly. When my paper on achievement motivation was accepted for the western Psychology Conference for undergraduate research, she drove myself and another classmate paper was accepted, all the way to Santa Clara and back.
It was that paper and presentation that caught Dr Tom Bouchard’s eye at the university of Minnesota psych department. He accepted me directly into the Ph.D. Program in that great snd storied psych department.
I owe so much to Dr Thompson. My career in teaching and research. The joy she shared with me of deep study of psychology and dedication to help students find their own greatness.
Her faith ran so deep, permeating everything she did. May the peace of Christ enfold you forever my dear professor, role model and friend.
With great love and endless admiration.
Douglas McKenna, Ph.D.