Anne Elizabeth Thompson

Anne Elizabeth Thompson, age 76, of Richland passed away Thursday afternoon, November 29, 2018 at Friendship Village. She was born in Kalamazoo on May 28, 1942, the loving daughter of Robert M. and Francis (deKoning) Sorlie, and was a lifelong resident of the Kalamazoo area. Anne graduated from University High School in Kalamazoo and received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Western Michigan University. Over the years, Anne was employed at the Brown Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and retired from Western Michigan University after more than 25 years of service.

Anne married the "Love of Her Life", Bruce H. Thompson in Kalamazoo on May 8, 1971; he survives. She is also survived by her son, Henry A. Thompson of Jackson; her step-daughter, Anne Leslie (Adam) Grath; her granddaughter, Alexa Thompson; and her cousins, Kathy (Rudy) Hentschal, Gretchen (Carl) Martinson, and Kim deKoning. Anne was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Lynn French.

Anne had a great sense of humor, an excellent story teller, had a strong desire to help others, and was extremely generous, even to a fault. She was an avid reader and loved spending time with family and her pets. Anne was involved with the Ladies of the Lake at Gull Lake, and served on the boards of Family and Children Services in Kalamazoo and Hospice of Southwest Michigan.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Anne's life will be held 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Monday, January 7th at Heritage Hall on WMU's East Campus. Memorials directed to the Ladies of the Lake Scholarship Fund through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Hospice of Southwest Michigan, and/or Family and Children Services of Kalamazoo, would be appreciated. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Anne may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.