Judith (Judy) Mary Rogers Thompson (1941-2023)

Judy Thompson (82) of Victoria, BC, died on November 18, 2023. Judy was born in Regina, SK, in 1941 to Harold and Virna Thompson of Wolseley, SK. She attended elementary and secondary school near the family farm in Wolseley. She continued her education at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, majoring in psychology. Her early career as a librarian evolved into expediting the family to Regina, Madison (Wisconsin), Ottawa, and back to Regina.

She obtained a Master’s in Library Science in 1981 from UBC and then embarked on a career as an election consultant, beginning as deputy chief election officer for Manitoba. Despite never learning to drive, she worked internationally for over a decade, organizing elections in new democracies. Her work took her to Cambodia (where she survived a helicopter crash), Kosovo, Bosnia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Palestine, South Africa, and Ukraine. 

In 2003, Judy moved to Victoria. In semi-retirement, she applied her talents in the archives and libraries of the Maritime Museum of BC, the Victoria Art Gallery, and Ballet Victoria. Judy’s lifelong love of learning, theatre, the arts, and history enriched not only her life but also those of her many friends and family members.

Judy was preceded in death by her mother and father, Virna and Harold, and is survived by her brother, Lynn Thompson (Betty); her sister, Ronda Thompson; her daughters, Terri Gartner (Brad) and Kelly Wharton (Gary); grandchildren Damon (Brittany) and Liam; great-grandchildren Dollshay and Nadia; and beloved nieces and nephews.

A service will be held in the spring in Victoria and Wolseley. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia, the Maritime Museum of BC, or the Salvation Army would be greatly appreciated.