Gloria O.Thompson

Gloria Odele (Day) Thompson, beloved family historian, died of advanced age Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. She was born in West Stewartstown, N.H. Sunday, Nov. 17, 1918, to Clyde and Odele (Bonney) Day. Gloria was blessed to grow up in loving family with a father who gave her roots and a mother who gave her wings. She had two older brothers, Louis and John and younger siblings, Suzette, June and Merton (Buddy).

Gloria was an avid reader and writer that was rewarded with being the Class Salutatorian in 1936. She fulfilled her mother's dream and received her Teaching Degree from Plymouth State University in 1939. Gloria faithfully returned to her high school and college reunions was the only returning alumni at her 80th high school reunion and at her 75th college reunion. Gloria taught all eight grades in a one room schoolhouse in Stark, N.H. for two years.

On Aug. 31, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Harold Thompson, in her mother's beautiful garden. World War II changed their plans and Gloria followed Harold to Key West, Va. and San Francisco. Following Harold's discharge in 1946, they moved back to New England and bought a home on Reservoir Road in Springfield, Vt. where they lived together until 1984.

Gloria and Harold welcomed three blond daughters, Bonnie. Kathleen and Mary from 1949 to 1952. Gloria was "Mommy Thompson" to Susan Spencer Fisher, who lived across the street and she also babysat other children on Reservoir Road. She and Harold traced their family trees before Ancestry.com was available. They continue their love of travel and re-visited places that they had been in the 1940's.

The birth of a granddaughter in 1978 brightened their lives and Brianna and her grandmother developed a very close bond. Following Harold's death, Gloria moved to Jensen's Park in Concord, N.H. in 1985. She later lived at BriarPipe Apartments in Penacook, N.H., and at Gerrish Manor and Merrimack County Nursing Home in Boscawen, N.H. When asked her secret of aging gracefully, Gloria attributed it to her great beginnings in northern, rural New Hampshire. Come December, Gloria enjoyed the pleasurable task of sending over 100 Christmas cards and she continued this practice until her 98th year.


Gloria had a quiet but deep faith that was celebrated in the Methodist Churches of Springfield, Vt. and Concord. She was a kind and accepting woman who loved to visit and share stories of her past and present. And she had a delightful sense of humor that kept her spirits up and made family, friends and helpers chuckle. Saying goodbye to her daughter, Bonnie, in October 2009 was a time of great sadness. Her two surviving daughters, include Kathleen Thompson in Houston and Mary Allard, Concord, and her granddaughter, Brianna Allard, Portsmouth. In addition, Gloria is survived by her brother, Buddy, West Stewartstown, Helen Hurd Day, widow of John W. Day, Fort Myers, Fla., 16 nieces and nephews and their partners, including Dick and Jacki Day of Concord, cousin, Janet Shaw of Bow, her son-in-law, Stanley Bean, Orange, Mass. and she is great-aunt to more than 40 grandnieces and grandnephews and the fast growing next generation of the Day family.

Calling hours will be followed by funeral services on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Wendall Butt Funeral Home, 42 Washington St., Penacook, N.H.

Graveside burial will be held on Friday, Sept. 15, at 11:30 a.m. in Canaan N.H.

Remembrances of Gloria can be sent to Mary Allard, 19 Amoskeag Road, Concord, NH 03301.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

With daughter Mary