Mary Ellen Thompson

The lovely Mary Ellen (Rand) Thompson, age 85, of Fairfield, beloved wife of her late husband Frank J. Thompson passed away January 23, 2019 peacefully at home. She was the devoted mother of her five loving children, Frank P. Thompson and wife Lisa of Norwalk, Patricia A. Thompson of Fairfield, Susan M. Thompson and her husband Alex Davis of Starksboro, VT and Ruth E. Thompson of Stratford; and a loving granddaughter who brought her great joy, Thompson Elizabeth Davis. She was predeceased by her daughter, Elizabeth M. Thompson. Mary Ellen was born in Brooklyn, New York. She attended the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula in Bedford Park, NY for grammar school through high school. She had a deep love for learning as evidenced by her early graduation from 8th grade at 12 years old and graduation from high school at the age of 16. She was frequently recognized for her talents in Latin, writing and journalism. Upon graduating high school at the age of 16, she began working at AT&T in Manhattan and attended Fordham University at night. She graduated from Fordham University School of Education in 1955 and is a proud Fordham Ram alumnus. At AT&T she worked as an engineering associate for 15 years until she met Frank in 1964. They married in 1965 and lived in Skaneateles, NY where they began their family until moving to Westport, CT, eventually settling in Fairfield in the house they called home for 51 years. Mary Ellen is a former charter member of the Easton Racquet Club where she played tennis and brought home many trophies through the years. She was an active and longtime member of the American Association of University Women serving in various leadership roles. As the Bicentennial Chairwoman of the Fairfield Women's club, she directed the beautification of the Sturges Wildlife and Skating pond in the Mill Plain section of Fairfield. This 1976 project, that had her five young children skating regularly, reflected her love of community and the outdoors. She was instrumental in starting a gourmet group with the Fairfield Women's club and shared her love of food with this group who became her close friends. This group morphed into a Finance group, another of her keen interests. She was an avid reader, reading multiple papers cover to cover on a daily basis to keep up on current events. She was extremely proud of her Italian heritage and enjoyed Italian culture and European travel, especially to Italy. She enjoyed boating with her late husband and was an active member of the U.S. Power Squadron. Mary Ellen was a long-time active parishioner of St. Pius X Church. Her favorite Saint was Saint Anthony, the Patron Saint of lost things, providing a steady courage to face the ups and downs of life, to be concerned for the needs of others, and to have our feet solidly on the ground. Mary Ellen will be missed by all who knew her intelligence, gracious and generous ways and bright spirit. She will remain in our hearts forever as an example of a life well lived. Mary Ellen wishes that you be kind and forgiving to your family and loved ones, spend time with them, take a walk and sit by the water, make a toast to loving relationships and enduring friendships. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 10 a.m. meeting directly at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula, 330 Bedford Park Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458. Please make checks payable to Academy of Mount Saint Ursula. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearFuneralHome.com.