Zaida Thompson

Zaida Marie Thompson was a sister, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. She was a friend to everyone, and had a smile that would light up any room. She was the sweetest person in the world and had the biggest heart of anyone we knew. She's been called an angel, a peacemaker, and a best friend. She had a sense of humor and a personality that would make anyone laugh. She was also so tenderhearted anyone would feel comforted and welcomed by her touch.

She'll be remembered for summers with her grandkids, nature hikes, and drives through the woods; Tuesday shopping days with her daughter, and family meals and time spent with her family in Mattoon. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren meant the world to her, and she always encouraged them to be the best they could be- always had supportive words. Her sisters shared an unbreakable bond that only sisters know, and later in life when they were miles apart, she stayed in touch as much as she could, always concerned for their well-being.

When she moved to Colorado, she missed the times spent with family in Mattoon. She became a resident of Shalom Cares, and at first she was reluctant to go into care. But after being there awhile, she made friends with everyone there.

As with every crowd of people, there are some that like you and some that don't. One of her floor mates early on would get angry at her and curse at her just for passing by in the halls. Grandma just smiled and told her, "It's okay, I love you anyway."

Day after day this would go on; until one day, she was seen by the staff holding hands with her floor mate, just talking away. As a testament to her personality, they had become friends. What started out as a rough patch turned into a beautiful friendship; the staff was astounded. This is how she treated everyone. She was the beacon of joy for everyone there. The staff grew as attached to her as her new found friends, and we heard several times that "she was family" there.

She was a person of great faith. The nursing home would put on a Christian non-denominational service in place of a Seventh Day Adventist service, since none was available. She would go as much as she could. When we asked her how the service was, she would shrug her shoulders almost humorously and say, "Eh, it's alright. Not the same as I'm used to, but it's okay." She was devoted to Christ and the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

After some time there, Grandma found herself a boyfriend. His name was Marvin. Marvin was devout Jewish. Being a Jewish nursing home, the Shabbat service put on was always more traditional than the Christian service; though they tried to offer as much as they could for their residents.

Grandma and Marvin made a pact. He would go with her to the Christian service, and she would go with him to the Shabbat service; each there to support one another and learn about each others' faith.

Marvin would go to the Christian service and sit there and shake his head, not understanding what Grandma found so involving; and Grandma would go to the Shabbat service and listen to the Rabbi speak in Hebrew- and shake her head, not understanding a single word he said. But, each would go to each others' service and support each other, and the staff would beam with pride at the joy they found in one another.

One day when mom and I were over, the Rabbi, Marvin, and Grandma had just come out of the Shabbat service. The Rabbi was standing behind her in the wheelchair when mom asked her how the service was. In all seriousness, Grandma matter-of-factly said, "I couldn't understand a single word they were saying, with all of that German they were speaking." Mom and I wanted to dig a hole in the floor and crawl into it in embarrassment, as the Rabbi laughed a loud belly laugh and said, "That's the best thing I have heard in a long time!"

Yep, Grandma was a funny person. She was also very proper. She made sure to tell us there would "be no funny business between her and Marvin, that she's not that kind of girl."

Her favorite movie was Patch Adams. She found it so heartwarming how Robin Williams played the doctor to sick little kids, his sense of humor and all, laughing to take away the pain. We knew it was her favorite movie because we had to replace the DVD not once, not twice, but three times!

I never knew you could wear out a DVD, but Grandma did. She, my sister, and I found Patch Adams red noses one day and laughed until our cheeks and stomachs hurt making faces at each other with our red noses on. She knew how to make people laugh.

Zaida Marie Thompson was everything to everybody; a sister, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother. We will love her and cherish her memory forever. She will live in our hearts and in the arms of the Angels. We are blessed to have had her in our lives, and she is blessed to be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. Her love, memory, and spirit will live on forever. Though we will miss her tremendously, we will take comfort in her eternal life with the Lord.