Obituary of Kate B. Thompson

Kate Thompson, 70, died peacefully at home on Thursday, March 13th ending her 7 month battle with cancer. In her final weeks, Kate was cared for by her adoring family and visited by life-long friends, passing at the end with Art, her beloved husband of 48 years, by her side. Kate was born in Brooklyn, New York July 2,1943. In childhood, she moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey, and she attended the Academy of Mount St.Vincent's High School, graduating in 1961. Kate studied psychology at Rosemont College in Pennsylvania, receiving her degree in 1965. An exceptional athlete, Kate was a star player on the women's basketball teams in both high school and college. While still at Rosemont, Kate was set up on a blind date with Art, with whom she would spend the next fifty years. Together, Kate and Art built successful careers, traveled widely, enjoyed tennis and golf, and developed treasured friendships in the many places they called home. From coaching youth basketball and teaching aerobic dancing in Port Washington, New York to serving on the board that built the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library in Hickory, North Carolina, Kate was actively involved in every community in which she lived. She was happiest on a tennis court, reading a good book, or in a garden. Kate was blessed with two children, Lauren and David; their spouses, Dennis and Lisa; five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Andrew, Millie, Charlie and Martha; and one utterly cherished cockapoo, Smudge. A service will be held at St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church at 11:00 am Thursday, March 20th. The church is located at 2085 Highway 105 South, Linville, NC 28646. We are designing a memorial garden to be dedicated at a service celebrating her life on August 9th. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Medi Home Health and Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the Thompson family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Thompson family.