BANGOR – Sylvia Jeanne (Bragdon) Thompson, 69, of Bangor passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor on Sunday, April 22, 2007. She was born June 11, 1937 in Belfast, Maine, the daughter of Thelma I. (Sambrook) Leimers and Roland H. Bragdon, Sr. Sylvia lived a wonderful life! She was educated in Thorndike, Brooks and Belfast before marrying Gerald F. Thompson of Jackson. Together they traveled with his profession in the U.S. Air Force and raised their three children. Upon his early death in 1969, she returned with her children to Maine. With her love of the military, she became an active greeter of returning troops at all hours of day or night from 1991-2004 at the Bangor International Airport and she was recognized for her dedication and received awards from the President of the U.S., the Governor of Maine and others. Sylvia enjoyed sewing, cooking, dancing, roller skating and spending time with her grandchildren. She was active with the Bangor Area Singles Club and served as President. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Belfast VFW Post, the Eagles Club of Brewer and the Gold Star Wives of America. Sylvia is predeceased by her husband, Gerald F. Thompson, her granddaughter, Heidi Thompson, and her brother, Roland (Sonny) Bragdon, Jr. She is survived by three children and their spouses, Keith Thompson and wife Elaine (Merchant) of Charleston, Deborah Given and husband William of Holden, and Tammie Wardwell and husband John of Bangor, five grandchildren, Angela Pfleiderer of Machias, Kate and Brian Wardwell of Bangor, and Adrienne and Kevin Given of Holden; her mother Thelma Leimers of Brooks; her sisters and brother Caroline (Barbara) Cook of Swanville, Rosemary (Honey) Gerren and fiance Larry Medeiros of Thorndike and Rhode Island, Janice and Charles Doolen of Lynn Haven, Florida, Joyce and Penson Bartlett of Searsmont and Stephen and Lauretta Bragdon of Searsport; and many special nieces, nephews and friends. Sylvia will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Visiting hours will be held 6-8 P.M. Thursday and a funeral service to honor and celebrate Sylvia’s life will be held 1 P.M. Friday at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Avenue, Hampden with the Rev. Liz Sullivan officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments immediately following the service. Burial will be at the Jackson Corner Cemetery at a later date. Those who wish, may make contributions to Hospice of Eastern Maine, C/O Healthcare Charities, P.O. Box 404, Bangor, Maine 04402-0404. Messages of condolence or memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com
SYLVIA J. THOMPSON
