Written by Evelyn Thompson Weenig about 1968/1969)

Hannah Elizabeth Yates Thompson was affectionately known throughout her life as "Lizzy". She was born in Scipio on February 2, 1865. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Francis and Thomas Yates who were converts from England, and were married while crossing the plains. As a young woman, she participated in all church activities. She often helped her mother as she went about assisting the sick. Her mother, Elizabeth F. Yates, was President of the Millard Stake Relief Society. My father, Merwin Thompson, often served as teamster for his grandmother when he was a young man as she made her visits to Relief Societies all over Millard County in a "white top".

On Christmas day, December 25, 1884, Lizzy Yates married Henry Thompson in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Lizzy taught school right after she was married and also while my father was small.

Lizzy, Kitty Robins, and Josephine Memmott organized Scipio's Home Dramatic Club and also an Elocution Class. They produced many plays, with songs and readings between acts, to fill out an evening of entertainment for their ward and many other wards in the stake.

While Lizzy Thompson lived in Scipio, her specialty was working in Y.W.M.I.A. with the young people. She was loved by all the young folk and she loved them. She showed great enthusiasm over all their projects.

She was first counselor to her husband's mother, Lorenda B. Thompson, in 1889 and continued in this capacity until Elizabeth Hanseen became president. Then she served as Sister Hanseen's counselor in Y.W.M.I.A. until 1904 when she was forced to resign because the family moved to Ogden.

She was a devoted member of the Scipio Choir with a record of 100% attendance. Aunt Bessie tells us that she joined the choir herself when she was fourteen years of age. They had a very strict, stern chorister who was Thomas Memmott. He was a chool teacher from England and was a real disciplinarian, but much of the success of the choir was due to his strict rules.

In 1891, when the Manifesto was being enforced, Lizzy's father, Thomas Yates, Bishop of the Scipio Ward, was arrested by the United States Marshal. He had two wives and was a devoted Latter-day Saint. This was a sad day for all in Scipio, expecially in the Yates and Thompson families. My father, Merwin Thompson, was five years old and still remembers this dreadful time. His grandfather was not a well man and his stay in the penitentiary was difficult, but he never complained. He kept a diary and it is very well written, not only in penmanship but the working is beautiful. The other men who were in prison at this time were bishops, stake presidents and others. Some of these people also wrote in this diary. It is in the possession of the Yates family today. He also wrote beautiful letters to his wife and daughters, Lizzy Y. Thompson and Louisa Y. Robison. In later years, Louisa became president of the General Relief Society of the Church.

Lizzy Y. Thompson's real accomplishment was the rearing of a family of nine. Grandfather was away from home as long as thirteen months at a time. Then after a short visit, gone again to the sheep or cattle herd. When Grandfather Thompson was called on his mission to Scotland, she ran the Scipio Co-op Store to support their family She also learned millinery from her mother and made hats for all the women in Millard County. She had the family out of debt and had enough money saved to go to Boston, dressed in fashionable clothing (especially her hats) to meet her husband on his return to the United States.

Henry Thompson's first mission was to the Southern States. He was one of the missionaries involved in the Caine County Massacre. Two of his young missionary companions were killed. He was protected from the mob due to quick thinking and aid from friends. President B. H. Roberts was instrumental in getting the bodies of the missionaries out of the hostile territory and Henry Thompson accompanied him in getting the bodies to the parents in Utah.

The Thompson home never lacked for entertainment. Lizzy played the organ and she and Henry sang together. As the children came along they too learned part singing and Aunt Bessie could play anything she heard by ear. They were called on to sing throughout the county. They visited the state capital, Fillmore, to perform on many occasions.

They came to Ogden in September 1904 and located at 3025 Adams Avenue. They helped their neighbors and were active church members while here. In August 1907 whey moved to Plain City and bought a farm from John K. Spires. While they were building the cement block home they lived in a home across the street from Francis and LaVina Thomas. Uncle Gordon lives in this cement block home today.

The reason the Thompson family left Scipio was to be nearer to the father Henry and his work. He worked many years for Walt Lindsay in Ogden Valley, on his ranch, and assisted him with his sheep herds in Idaho. Finally he was able to get his own herd. He would graze them in the Mackay, Idaho area in the summer and out west of Plain City in the winter.

Howard Hansen, son of Bessie T. Hansen, and bishop in the Los Angeles area tells of spending a summer at the summer camps with the sheep herds in Idaho. Grandmother, Lizzie, wore a very attractive riding habit, high buckled boots, riding britches, an attractive blouse and hat. She could ride as well as any man in camp. The camp was well equipped with sheep wagons for sleeping and good food. She had cooked for weeks before leaving home. There were cookies in cookie jars, fruit cakes neatly wrapped in dish towels and many other goodies. The old "Willis Knight" was their pride and joy, with its many seats there was room for family and friends. It always got them to ther destination, but once there, it was abandoned for lively horses.

When the Thompson family came to Plain City, H.J. Garner was bishop. William Reed and Peter M. Folkman were counselors with William Kerr as ward clerk.

Grandmother Thompson taught Sunday School with James L. Robson until his death. The gospel truths were secret loves of this pair of teachers.

Grandmother did not feel at home when she first came to Plain City but she soon won many devoted friends, because she was an "Administering Angel" to the sick at all times, even delivering babies in some instances.

My father, Merwin Thompson, was the oldest child born to this faithful couple. He was born November 1, 1885 in Scipio, Utah and has lived in Plain City all of his married life. Bessie was born April 17, 1888, and married Lorin Hansen. They lived in Trenton, Cache County for several years and the balance of the time in Los Angeles, California. Vera Louise was born March 8, 1890, and was buried in Scipio. The following year, 1891, on the 25th of September, Leland was born. He served in the World War I and lived in California thereafter. He died in California March 26, 1964. On April 28, 1894, Gordon was born and has lived in Plain City all of his life except a brief time spent in Hansen, Idaho. Two years later, May 7, 1896, Sterling was born and he has been a resident of Plain City since 1907, too. On New Years Day 1898, Shelby was born. He lived with his good wife in Plain City until all their children were born. Then they moved to West Weber where he died December 18, 1928. How happy Aunt Bessie was on April 9, 1904, when a baby sister was born and named Ethel. She later married Ralph Taylor from Hansen, Idaho and moved there to make their first home. For many years they have lived in Portland and Gladstone, Oregon. On June 3, 1906, Norma was born in their new home in Ogden. She died on the 6th of November 1914 in Plain City.

Lizzie Thompson had a glory in her work and sincere desire to help her fellowmen regardless of their creed. Visiting and cheering the sick or a lonely shut-in was her joy. Because of her kind, sweet and understanding heart of all those in trouble she was welcome wherever she went.

She had a "Regal" look about her always as she went about common everyday tasks. Serenity of purpose and a reverence for life was ever present with her. You could just feel it!

Her activities continued much the same as in Scipio. She was a class leader in the M.I.A. and a life long member of the choir. She was also a counselor in the Primary. On November 1911 she was set apart as President of the Plain City Relief Society and served until 1918.

She was called to the North Weber Stake Relief Society with Sister Perry as president. These two ladies loved each other like true sisters.

She was called to make burial clothing by the North Weber Stake by President Thomas M. Irvine for the Ogden Morticians and others for many years.

She was unique in that she was always well dressed, because of her nimble busy fingers. She loved to dress in her best and attend the dances as a young girl. The young men, as well as those her age and older, asked her to dance because of her gracefulness.

The outstanding attributes she possessed besides grace and poise, as well as dignity, was a deep love and understanding of people and kindness and a courageous heart.

She died after a lengthy illness in my father's house at the age of 73, on February 22, 1938, and is buried in the Plain City Cemetary.

NOTES ON BUSINESS ETC. OF PLAIN CITY

Just before Grandmother came to Plain City there were four schools, one in the north end of town, located where Harold Christiansen now lives and one in the south section located where Blain Jensen lived. The third was located out in Poplar Lane, and a fourth, an adobe building in the center of town. In the year 1906, the school was moved to the Central School on the town square, so the school had been centralized one year before the Thompson family arrived.

Poplar Lane students still went to the Poplar School and also attended church with James L. Robson as Presiding Elder for a time.

There were three stores in Plain City at this time. Tom England had a store in connection with his home out in the north end of town. Mrs. Sarah Coy had a store where Irene Skeen's home now stands. Billie Coy had one in the south end of town where Elwin Taylor has his home now. Then Mr. Garner had his store directly on the corner where Olsen's Grocery is today (the old section). He was leasing this building from Thomas England. Mr. England decided to move his store down to the center of town to be nearer to his coal yard when Mr. H.J. Garner's lease ran out. In order to have a building for his business, he purchased a part of the old smelter building north of Plain City and moved it down to where Grace Maw's store now stands.

The corner where John Maw and Sons Store was located belonged to the Richardson Estate and Thomas England bought it. He had his coal yard there. Later he sold to Clark Streeter who operated a store for a time, then sold out to John Maw.

The Tithing Office Building and Yard was a block east of where the Church now stands. The Telephone Office and Exchange was located where Marvel and Lester England have their home.

1979 REMEMBRANCES OF HANNAH ELIZABETH YATES THOMPSON

In 1979, I was asked by some of my cousins to try to collect remembrances of our Grandmother from cousins living at that time. I sent out letters to all my first cousins and some of their children if I thought that they might have some recollections. I received only a few answers to my inquiry and intended to follow-through with a second request. At the time, I was very much involved in my job and, I'm sorry to say, I procrastinated this assignment. At this writing (July 1991) I'm retired and decided I must record what I have.

I find that we have copies of Grandma's own autobiography as well as a biography written by Evelyn Thompson Weenig. With that in mind, I have decided to copy the letters and tape that I received in answer to my request as they were written and recorded in order to, at least, be able to share them. Some of the recollections have been recorded in Evelyn's biography and some are new. They should be of interest to all of us who call Hannah Elizabeth Yates Thompson "Grandmother".

I was only 12 years of age when Grandma passed away and I lived in Portland, Oregon so I wasn't around her as much as I would liked to have been. I have only a few memories of her and they are very faint. I remember that she came to Portland to visit us - I think it was in the summer time - maybe about 1934. I have pictures of her with my "Taylor" family about that time. As I remember her, she was tiny, soft-spoken, kind and always seemed to have that loving smile that made me feel important to her. If you remember her smile, you know what I mean.

The only time I remember visiting her in Utah (and I'm sure there were several other times) was one summer at the time of the Pioneer Day celebration of July 24th. I know that my mother was there at the time and made me a beautiful blue and white pioneer dress with ruffles over the shoulders. It's very likely that she and Grandma worked on it together. I think Gerry Goodfellow was there too, and we had matching dresses. We went to the parade and rodeo and I really felt special with my lovely new dress.

I remember her home was neat and cozy with doilies and pretty dishes. I was fascinated with the egg cups from which we ate our soft boiled eggs for breakfast. I don't think I had ever seen them used before and I don't think I have since that time. They were probably porcelain because they were so delicate. I, too, remember Grandma sewing burial clothes on that visit. I didn't understand just what that meant until many years later.

My mother told me about Grandma and the things she would do and the talks they would have before mother was married at the very young age of 16. While I don't remember details, I remember that mother instilled in my heart a deep love for my Grandmother Thompson and an appreciation of her kind, gentle spirit. I hope that I will live worthy to be called her "Granddaughter".

Shirley Taylor Watkins

FROM HOWARD HANSEN

My earliest recollections of my Grandmother Elizabeth Yates Thompson goes back to my 5th birthday when I was invited to travel from Trenton Utah to Mackay Idaho via a 1919 Willys Knight touring sedan with high pressure tires - 70 lbs - with two spares chained to the rear tire rack. Our travels took us to Weston, Dayton, Malad, Downey, McCammon, Pocatello and Blackfoot where Grandfather and Grandmother traded with the Indians for mocasins and buckskin gloves, and some beads for Aunt Ethel, who was looking out for me all the way. Our Grandmother was a joy to travel with. She was gay and joyful, sang songs and told stories as we traveled. She wore, laced up over the calf of her legs, boots with a khaki shirt open at the neck or closed with a colorful tie as the occasion arose, trousers to match inside her boots. She wore her hair pulled up in the back and combed back and up from her forehead with a comb in her hair. She had some class with her flare for being dressed for the occasion and ready for work or play. Her smile was spontaneous and she could find a bright spot in the dullest or most dismal situation. After we fixed a flat tire and made repairs and replenished our supplies, we left Pocatello going through Arco Idaho and on to Mackay. To me this was the end of the road, nowhere to go but up in Neff's field, where we made camp and pitched our tent. Grandmother was one of the best girl scouts I ever knew. She could put up a tent, drive tent stakes with a wood axe, tie knots that secured a tight pull on the tent so the wind and the rain was deflected and our home on the river was secure.

She and Grandfather were at home in the open country. Grandmother was a good cook and with Grandfather's Sheepherder's bread and biscuits done in a big steel container and lid completely buried and covered with hot coals from the fire. We had meals fit for royalty! Grandfather cut me a willow fishing pole from the bank of the river, tied a green fishing line to the tip and extended it down to the center of the pole for safety in case it should break. My next chore was securing bait, angle worms from the grassy areas. When the hook was baited to the edge of the river I went - now listen to the fish story. When those native trout hit my line, I thought for sure I would be pulled in the river but to my delight and Grandmother's and Grandfather's, I was able to land the fish. As I laid them down in a bushel apple box, their tails would turn up on the end of the box. They were happy as they watched my excitement.

Sheep and cattle was the means of livelihood at this time for Grandfather and Grandmother and the sheep herd was near Mt. Borah, a 12,000 foot peak in Central Idaho, near Mackay. Grandmother could saddle a pony or drive a team and make a sheep wagon a fun place to be. She would ride a horse and show us the interesting things and sights that were in the area. It was fun to feed the chipmunks as they came up the wagon tongue and pushed their heads over the top of the wagon.

Our Grandmother was a charming lady. She made a friend by being a friend, was quick to give attention and serve all who came within her realm. Her residence - away from the herds - at this time was at 21st and Monroe in Ogden, Utah - a big city to a small country boy.

On entering her home, one of the first things that took my eye was a many colored lamp shade that hung over her dining table, the big leather rocker that my Grandfather sat in, the fancy lace on the table cloth and the ready smile and hug that came easy from her to me. She knew what boys liked: cold milk-cookies-fruit cake- mashed potatoes with cream and butter- and maybe some carrot pudding with a dip that no one could beat. Her beds were clean and fresh with blanket sheets in the winter to keep you warm and, if you were unfortunate enough to become sick with cold or fever, she knew what to do to ease your pain and cure your cold or cover a cut or a skinned knee.

If there were things you didn't understand, she had time to listen, and to give you answers to perplexting problems and when a country boy at 7 years came to the city and took the neighborhood girl playmates down on Monroe to buy some pop or candy and ended up out on 29th street, lost by girl instinct - getting a woman police escort back to Monroe and 21st, she had patience to cover that too.

Our Grandmother taught by word and deed with faith in our Heavenly Father that never faltered, leaving us a proud heritage of work and industry, neatness and honesty and the ability to mix in society with the humble and the proud, the poor and the rich, able to cry or laugh with those who had cause for joy or pain. "Perfect"? No. "Grand Mother"? Yes. A friend forever.

FROM WANDA HANSEN GOODFELLOW BECKER (on tape)

My first memory of my Grandmother Thompson was when I was about five years old - four or five - and I was ill. We were living in Wilson Lane. I was in bed and Grandmother walked through the door and my spirits soared. She had the ability to make me feel well because of my love for her. I remember being in her home in the cement block house when Aunt Martha and Uncle Merwin lived in part of it. And, one Christmas, I remember there were nine dolls on the Christmas tree. Uncle Earl, Daddy's brother, and his wife and daughters were there plus all my cousins and the house was so full and running over that I remember that Grandmother slept in the big leather chair. We didn't know that until the next morning. Christmas was wonderful at my Grandmothers. I remember my uncles coming in playing the banjo and singing and Uncle Sterling played - he called it a sweet potato - it was in the shape of a potato and had little holes in it and it was black and gold. They had beautiful voices and they sang and had such a good time and later in my life I remember how good they were to me and how Uncle Leland came by and took me up in his arms and danced with me.

Grandmother's home was such a happy home and she was never alone - there were always so many there. In later years, I remember, when Zelda was small she must have been just going into Kindergarden or first grade and she didn't get the good start that I did. Mother had a hard time finding food that would agree with her and she had a little xcema and so she was sent to Grandmother's and went to school there. But this I can remember - that Grandmother's home was always a home of compassion for someone. In later years, I remember living in her home when Aunt Elizabeth lived there and taught school and I think how she washed and ironed and cleaned for all of us and always such a marvelous cook. At that time, doctors had prescribed for Aunt Elizabeth that she should always have beef steak some time during the day because she had a tendency for anemia so no matter how hot the evening was or what other food Grandmother had prepared for the rest of us, she always had to fix Aunt Elizabeth beef steak. And, Aunt Elizabeth was allergic to dust so Grandmother always vaccumed her room but she did keep her room up. But, otherwise, in cleaning the house or helping with the dishes or doing things like that - she never did. She always had her papers to correct and other things to do for her school.

I can remember the servitude of her waiting on so many. I remember that Erma Thompson lived there and went to school and then Cleone Lindsay lived there and I can remember Nina living there when I was there and going to school and working. I'm sure that her home was a haven for so many. Especially, I can remember when they went on vacation and they had their Willys Knight it was when cars were fairly rare and they went on vacation to Idaho and they stopped by and took Howard with them. But they always had someone with them to take care of other than just enjoying each other.

When Ethel was a young lady living at home on 21st Street I was privileged to go there in the Summer for a vacation for a week or two and Grandmother and Grandfather were such devout church members. Sunday was such a sacred study day and a day of reverence. I can see them sitting around the dining room table studying the scriptures and our kneeling in family prayer and the wonderful example they set for me.

I'm so grateful for her beautiful carriage. She was so erect and she, at that time, had such beautiful clothes. Tricotlet was a material that was new and she had a beautiful tricotlet dress with her silver fox furs and a beautiful hat that was covered with malene (sp?) it was a turbin and in the little folds of the malene were little tiny rosebuds. You remember in Grandmother's life in Scipio she was a milliner and beautiful hats was her forte and she had a knack of wearing them and certainly choosing and wearing beautiful hats. I can see her pretty hair and her stately carriage and her pretty kid shoes and glove silk gloves were worn along with kid gloves and her dresses later were this same glove silk - it was like a guiana now - only it would run if it was snagged.

I'm sure that she was a great lady. Things that she did for me when Aunt Louie was in the presidency of the Relief Society she had a Sister Hyde that was called to the Hawaiian Islands on a mission and they needed someone to go with the family to be a help and a companion to their little daughter and help take care of this little girl. Grandmother thought that it would be a wonderful opportunity for me to go with the Hyde's and live in their home and be a companion to this little girl and help in their home. And I thought it would too until it came time for me to get ready and leave my family and leave my many friends. At that time in my life and as a young teenager it was so important to be one of a group and I thought of the quiet life I would probably live in the Islands and at the very last minute I changed my mind and they had to find someone else.

But she was always looking out for me. I remember as I was working in Ogden one night I came home and I had a plush coat on and someway I reached into my pocket to get the house key of the people I was working for and it wasn't there and so I went home with my girlfriend and slept later than I had planned to because I was going to be up early and call the lady that I was working for in order to explain why I hadn't been home all night. But, in the meantime, she called my Grandmother to see where I was and Grandmother knew my friend and called down there but I still wasn't awake so she drove right down and came into my bedroom and said, "Honey, I want you to come home." And, she said, "What happened that you didn't go home?" And I said, "I thought I had my key in my pocket but when I got to the door I didn't have so I came home and stayed with this friend of mine." Grandmother was always looking out for me. Later, I found a little open seam in my pocket and my key had dropped down into the lining of my coat and I found it at the hemline. But she was very concerned.

She was a grandmother to be grateful for because I knew that she would worry if I wasn't doing just what I should do at the time she thought I should be doing it. I was grateful for her love and example. She and Grandfather were just beyond compare when it came to be the kind of grandparents that anyone should be blessed with. I'm more grateful for my heritage each day of my life and I have a revernce for their memory that is glorious to think about and it makes me walk tall and try harder to be worthy of their heritage.

FROM ZELDA HANSEN PITCHER

I recall her quick movements, her positive attitude, her assurance of being able to do the things that were hers to do. Her hands were ever busy. She made beautiful crocheted pieces to beautify her home, doilies, dresser and piano scarves, babie's hoods and bonnets, sweaters, shawls and trimming for dresses, tatting for handkerchiefs and doilies. Embroidery appeared on many items enhancing the beauty of a blouse, skirt or dress. I remember a belt she made of small bone rings covered with dusty pink embroidery floss fastened together with satin ribbon, the streamers of ribbon hung from the waist with one or two rings attached on the ends. The royal blue dress I wore this belt with was also embroidered with the same floss. I also remember the little crocheted crochet bag that she slipped on her arm to keep the ball of crochet cotton from rolling away as she worked or moved about. Sewing came very easy to her, or at least to me it appeared to come easy. I can see her now as she would try bits of lace or ribbon against a dress to get the effect which she desired. Aunt Ethel had many beautiful dresses made by grandmother. I, for one, felt very favored by her, although I've heard others say that they were sure that they were the favorite grandchild.

In later years, Grandmother made burial clothes for at least two morticians in Ogden, Utah. I remember the air-line material used for making veils. The 3 X 6 plank padded and covered with white muslin then placed upon the ironing board and used to press the pleats into the temple robes she made. She conceived the ideas to make equipment she needed for her work. She had more orders for clothing than she could sometimes do and often called upon one or the other of her son's wives to assist her.

Years after her death while I was in California, I met Brother Oscar Malan whom she had done sewing for. I asked him if he remembered my grandmother Elizabeth Y. Thompson. His reply was "Indeed I do. She was a great lady."

To me she was one of the best cooks ever. She could make the simplest food taste delicious. One of my favorites was a plain yellow cake with chocolate frosting. I was always sure that she had a premonition that I was coming and made that kind of cake especially for me. Whenever I tried to duplicate it in my own home, it never tasted the same.

Going to church with Grandma and Grandpa was always special. I loved to hear her sing. I was always proud of her appearance and how much other people seemed to love her.

The prayers I've heard my grandparents utter were an inspiration to me. Grandfather especially impressed me with the phrases he used. Never hurried, always sincere and grateful.

There was always music, songs and happiness in their home. Grandma, as she worked, blew a tune. It's no wonder that all of their children enjoyed music, especially singing.

(Note: the following was headed by Zelda, "May 26, 1966 Recollections of Elizabeth Yates Thompson to be put on tape for family reunion in P.C.")

When I was 5 years of age I went to Plain City to be with Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Ethel while I attended first grade with Mrs. Jennie Neal as my teacher. At school we had a doll and the girls in class were allowed to take the doll home on week ends. Grandmother spent a great number of hours sewing doll clothes, dresses, slips, panties, knit booties, sweaters and caps, doll blankets and crib quilts. No need to say I was the most proud child on Monday when everyone in class "oh'd and ah'd" at the lovely wardrobe she had made. When she wasn't sewing for Aunt Ethel, she was sewing for me. I shall always remember the first "store bought" coat I ever owned, trimmed with fur. It was Grandma who bought it for me.

Grandma taught me to tatt and crochet and it was my pride and joy to be able to copy some of her lovely handiwork.

Grandmother was always my ideal I always wanted to emulate her fine attributes. Grandmother kept the Word of Wisdom explicitly. Because she had never taken tea or coffee, I resolved to follow her example. When I was 15 years old, I was at Grandmother's when I had scarlet fever. She nursed me and made that sickness bearable because of her tender care. When Dr. Morrell prescribed tea as medication because of nausea and vomiting, I told him, "No, I shall not drink tea. My Father in Heaven will make me well without it." I was bound to keep my resolution as I have to this day.

Christmas at Grandmother's will always remain a high-light in my life: the Christmas tree with candles - the cakes and puddings all made by her loving hands - my brothers sleeping under the Christmas tree hoping to catch Santa Claus. Sleeping on the floor was half the thrill of Christmas vacation at Grandma's. Some part of Summer vacation was always spent at Grandma's. As a little girl, dressing up in her clothes was the most fun of all. I well remember wearing her grey and black high button shoes, her velour hat with the black feather and her fox muff and fur, parading up and down the street in front of the house at 835 21st, Ogden.

(In 1979, Zelda added this to the above notes.)

Another thing I remember about Grandmother Thompson was her love of the scriptures. I remember her whispering aloud as she read in order to concentrate. I especially remember that when she was in very poor health and lived with Mama and Daddy in L.A. on Fornom St. The living and dining rooms were across the full width of the front of the house. We would all be in the living room and she was in the dining room, at the table, with her scriptures reading, writing and making cross references, oblivious to what we were doing or saying. She was intent on learning. I feel now that she realized that time for her was short and she must learn all that she could. The point is that she did this whisper reading always when she needed to concentrate.

FROM LUCILLE HANSEN GILES RANDOLPH

Here are some of my thoughts. I guess I have more impressions than memories and I'm sorry but I don't remember many things of my childhood and youth.

My earliest recollection is Grandma and Grandpa coming to Trenton to visit and perhaps it was the 4th or 24th. She gave us $.50 and that was "all the money in the world" and we knew she loved us.

We used to go to Plain City for summer vacations. I remember how cool the house was inside. She opened the china closet and let me look at her beautiful dishes and I loved and remember the smell to this day. She was kind, soft-spoken, patient and we felt her love for us.

In her later years during her illness, she and Grandfather lived with Mother and Dad for a while in California. She was patient with her illness and expressed her appreciation often for the care and kindness she received from everyone. She never complained and was sorry to need the constant care.

She was named Elizabeth for her mother and I was her only grandchild to have the honor of being given her name. That has always been special to me.

I remember the beautiful burial dresses and the handmade temple aprons she made and I believe I told her I wanted her to make mine for me. My memory isn't very good about my past but I just knew I loved her and wanted to go to her home to stay during the summers.

FROM GERALDINE (GERRY) GOODFELLOW ROSSELL

I only wish I could be a major contributor. However, my remembrance of Great Grandmother Thompson is very sketchy. Only two thoughts come to mind.

I remember staring at her hands! Thinking to myself, "all those wrinkles". Through the course of my years, I have recalled those memories many times. I discerned that her hands had seen countless hours of love and labor, that her entire life had been devoted to service and sacrifice. Now I look at my own thin-skinned hands and see much the same as I saw in Grandmothers! (Certainly not because of all the sacrifice, etc. but because of the same genes.)

Her beautiful, positive attitude during those last ill years have been an inspiration to me also. I never saw her that she didn't respond with a warm, affectionate smile and hug. I wish I had known her better.

FROM RENEE PITCHER REED

I remember Great Grandma Thompson during the time that I was 6 or 7 years old. As I remember, she was very small with pretty grey hair. She was always very cheerful and loving to me. It seems to me that most often she was either humming or whistling softly.

When I was 6 years old, I remember going to the Salt Lake Temple with Mother and Daddy to be sealed to them and Great Grandma Thompson and Grandma Hansen (Bessie) went with us. It was during this trip to Utah that Grandma Thompson gave me a little miniature White Satin sack of sugar that I still have.

I recall very well at this time of my life telling all of my friends that I had seven living grandparents and that four of them were great-grandparents. I was very proud of that fact.

FROM NORMA THOMPSON EVANS

(Note: This was a talk prepared by Norma for a Relief Society function.)

My mother was Glendora Hogge Thompson. Widowed at barely 31, left with the responsibility of raising 5 small children. Today, I'm still amazed at how she managed. We were fortunate to be a part of a close knit and caring family on both sides. It was the depression however and times were hard. Money was scarce but we were in no way deprived. We had good friends and neighbors and my young mother met all the challenges. She worked hard at almost any honorable job offered and took care of her obligations and there were many. She paid her bills and still seemed to have thetime to teach her children how to cook, do housework, care for each other, go to church and still enjoy life along the way.

We, as a family, looked forward to the ward reunion the 17th of March. Growing up in a small town, it was one of the big days in our year. The dinner - always furnished by the sisters of the Relief Society - chicken pie, jello with whipped cream, desserts. What a feast, a bazaar, then a big dance in the evening. It was years before I realized our ward reunion was in celebration of the Relief Society's Birthday. Now I know how difficult those things must have been for my mother but she managed.

On Sundays, it was not unusual for 2 or 3 of her brood to bring home a friend from Sunday School to have dinner with us. She always smilingly set another place at the table. All my friends loved her and still speak lovingly of her.

From her, I learned so many things. She was an example of endurance: you can survive almost anything life brings. She was so honest and we all became aware that you took care of your obligations first. She was an excellent manager even when there was little to manage. Yet, I bring nothing grim or joyless from my childhood memories. Quite the opposite. It's the little things that bring the most happiness. From her I came to know the meaning of loyalty and friendship. She was courageous and strong in the face of adversity

She gave each of us a sense of our own worth. She impressed upon us this fact: "No one is better than you are. Others may have more materially, be more talented in some areas but each of you has something to contribute in life." And we were charged with making the most of what God had given us. What a remarkable woman!

My Grandmother, my father's mother, was Elizabeth Yates Thompson. She was such a special part of my life. My earliest childhood memories are of her love for me and mine for her. She was my ideal, a picture of the kind of woman I would like to be when I grew up. Needless to say, I didn't quite make it.

The loving mother of eight (9) children, one (3) deceased. She was kind and gentle and a steady inspiration to all of us, never too busy to help anyone who needed her. She had great empathy. Somehow, she seemed to sense the feelings of others.

From her I learned the meaning of demonstrative love. She was a toucher, an arm around the shoulder, a stroke on the head, a kiss on the cheek person. Always quietly verbal; never stingy with her "I love you's"; always reminding me how much she cared. Her tenderness made a long illness more bearable and everyday hurts melt away.

I can truthfully make this statement: "In all the years I knew her, never did I hear her say an unkind word to or about anyone."

She was my first introduction to Relief Society. I attended my first quilting as a small child, as her guest. She was a very fine seamstree and her services as a teacher were much in demand. I admired her skill but did not acquire it. She made such beautiful burial and temple clothes. Yes, she had so many admirable qualities and talents.

I could only wish for every child a grandmother as loving as mine. From her I came to know the meaning of kindness, empathy, understanding and love.

What examples I've had: living, real ones. If, in my lifetime, I've failed to exercise good judgement in some instances, failed to take advantage of teachings, I take full responsiblity. My teachers cannot be faulted.