Marilyn Joy Thompson

Marilyn Joy Thompson, age 79, of Canby, Oregon, passed away peacefully at home with her husband and one daughter by her side on May 6, 2021, after a decades-long battle with rheumatoid arthritis. Marilyn was born in Silverton, Oregon, in 1942, the second child of Gilman and Myrtle Satrum. She grew up on a farm in Molalla, Oregon, and was a 1960 graduate of Molalla High School. She was active in 4-H horse and sewing clubs, and enjoyed barrel racing with her horse, Lady, in the Molalla rodeo. She attended Portland Secretarial School before marrying the love of her life, James M. Thompson, on June 2, 1961. In 1965 they bought a small farm in Canby, where they lived for 50 years, and raised their two daughters. She held the position of church secretary at Zoar Lutheran Church for 30 years. She was a prayer warrior, and very active in church, teaching Sunday School, and singing in the choir among other activities. After retiring, she enjoyed tending her many plants and beautiful flowers, exercising, taking trips to the beach, camping, going on cruises, and visiting friends and family. She is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Jim Thompson, daughter Julie Larsen (Brad) of Orlando, Florida, daughter Jill Thompson of Canby, Oregon; three grandchildren, Blake Larsen, and Jennifer Larsen, both of Orlando, Florida, and Jessie Thompson of Canby, Oregon; brother Jim Satrum (Judy) of Molalla, Oregon, sister Linda McMullen (Don) of Everson, Washington, and 5 nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life is will be held at Foothills Community Church in Molalla, OR on Saturday, June 5th at 2:00 pm. The family would ask that any donations you would like to make in Marilyn’s memory be made to the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org).