Helen (Elena) Rita Thompson Obituary

Helen Thompson, of Gibbstown, New Jersey passed away peacefully at the age of 98, with her family at her side.  Helen was the daughter of the late Luigi Fabiani and Giulia Gabrielli of Ascoli Piceno, Italy, who bravely traveled to America to settle and raise their family in Gibbstown.  She was predeceased by her brother John (Rose) Fabiani and her sister Anna (William) Severson.  Helen was the devoted mother of Mark Thompson of Clayton, Lorraine Haddock (Asa) of Gibbstown, Paul Thompson of Cape May Court House, and Elaine Alestra (Jay) of Gibbstown.  She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Mark, Amy, Aaron, Marie, Asa, Julia, Joseph, Madeline, Paul, David, Jimmy, April, and their families. Helen was a great-grandmother to 19 children, a Godmother and an aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Helen, a lifelong resident of Gibbstown, attended Greenwich Township Elementary School. In 1945 she graduated from Paulsboro High School cum laude, winning the English Award.  This was quite an accomplishment, as she spoke only Italian when entering elementary school.  Helen was accepted into the business program at Drexel University.  She took a bus to school each day and loved being part of the Glee Club.  She often talked about the experience of singing Handel's Messiah at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.  After earning her degree, her first job was with DuPont Company at Chambers Works.  Helen took time from work to enjoy raising her family with her husband Leroy.  She later took a position at the Greenwich Township School as secretary to the principal and completed her career as secretary to the superintendent and the Board of Education.

After retirement, Helen stayed involved with her community, volunteering at Underwood Hospital as a receptionist in the surgical waiting room, and singing with the St. Michael's Church Choir, making new friends wherever she went. She loved winters in Florida, summers at the seashore, and watching golf and the Eagles on television. Helen liked dancing, parades, and all kinds of music.  She charmed everyone with her baking skills and always shared the recipes.  A generous woman, Helen loved making gifts of the roses she raised.

Helen's final two years were spent joyfully at Shady Lane Nursing Home in Clarksboro, where she continued making friends with everyone she met.  She was skillful at coloring and liked giving out her artwork to anyone who visited, including the wonderful staff, the faith community, and the talented entertainers. Helen always made new residents feel welcome there.

Helen embraced life, making time for family and friends, and bringing joy to each person she met.  She showed pride in the accomplishments of others and liked giving support and encouragement through the art of letter writing.  Everyone appreciated her kind words. She had a lifelong friendship with Dr. Chester Ulmer and often told stories about growing up in Gibbstown near his home and office.  She was so pleased when the park in Gibbstown was named for him and helped to plant flowers there.  In lieu of flowers, please help beautify Dr. Chester Ulmer Park by making donations to:

Helen Thompson Memorial Fund

C/O Greenwich Township Finance Office

420 Washington Street

Gibbstown NJ 08027

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Saturday, February 21, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Michael's Church, Memorial Avenue, Gibbstown, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., with interment following at Eglington Cemetery in Clarksboro, NJ.

Arrangements by LANDOLFI FUNERAL HOME, of Paulsboro, 300 W. Broad Street. To share condolences/memories please visit www.landolfifuneralhome.com