Obituary of Mary E. Thompson

Mary Elsie Thompson, 76, lost her valiant four and a half year battle with ALS (Lou Gerhigs Diease) on Friday at her home following visits with family. Born May 10, 1926 in New York City, Mary was the daughter of the late Patrick Crossan and Elizabeth (Grimes) Crossan, both from County Tyrone, Ireland. She grew up in the Union Hill section of Denville. In February 1948 she married Kensley Robert Bob Thompson, also of Denville and remained an active part of the Denville community while raising her three children. Over the years, Mary was active in American Legion Post 390, Auxiliary Unit of Denville, holding various offices and serving as Auxiliary President from 1954 to 1955. She was also active in the Denville Womans Club for many years. She attended St. Marys Church in Denville and was active in the Rosary Society and school activities while her children were attending. In 1978, Bob and Mary relocated to Forked River, NJ where they spent 22 years. They returned to Denville in June 2001 following her diagnosis of ALS in December 2000. In 1972, they started their home based business Kenkrafts, making and selling semi-gemstone jewelry. Bob and Mary have made many friends with the circle of fellow crafters, many of whom remained in touch even after she was no longer able to participate at craft and corporate fairs. While in Forked River, Mary was also an active member of the Forked River Women's Club, a life member of the Lacey Twp. Chapter of the Deborah Hospital Foundation, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees of Ocean County. She was a communicant at St. Barbarnas R.C. Church in Bayville, NJ, where she and her husband served on the Bishop's Diocesan Council for many years and the lay Advisory Council for the Parish. Besides her parents, Mary is predeceased by her son, Kensley Robert Thompson, Jr. who died in August 1971 and her brother John Crossan who died in August 1972. Survivors include her husband of 55 years Kensley Robert Thompson, her twin daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara A. and her husband, John Joseph Sisko of Denville, and Sharon E. and her husband Joseph F. Walsh of Wantage; seven grandchildren, Kathleen Walsh Bailey of Dingmans Ferry, PA, Joseph R. Walsh and Michael T. Walsh, both of Wantage; Gregory E. Sisko of Jefferson Twp., NJ Douglas A. Sisko, Bradley D. Sisko, and Jeffrey A. Sisko, all of Denville; and her great grandson Kellen A. Bailey. She is also survived by her twin brother, Charles P. Crossan of Mine Hill, NJ, and her cousins Frank Gerhart of Morris Plains, NJ and Betty Milicevich of Woodbury, NJ along with many nieces, nephews and caring friends. A mass of Christian Burial Service will be con-celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena Church, The Boulevard and Pocono Rd, Mountain Lakes on Tuesday Nov. 5, at 11AM by family friends, the Rev. Monsignors John Demkovich of Passaic, NJ and Martin McDonnell of Parsippany, NJ, along with St. Catherine of Siena Pastor Patrick Rice and Associate Pastor Regis Wallace. The family invites you to visit them at Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ (973)-627-1880, www.normandean.com on Sunday and Monday 2-4 and 7-9PM. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery East Hanover, NJ. The family asks that in lieu of flowers you kindly make your memorial gifts to the Rotary Club of Denville for Polio Plus P.O.Box 35 Denville, NJ 07834 or the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (for Research), 116 John Street, New York, NY 10038.