Carol Jean Thompson

Carol Jean Thompson, age 87, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (“Gigi”), passed away in Bellingham, Washington, on Friday, August 22, 2025, surrounded by her children. Born on September 18, 1937, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Carol was the eldest daughter in a family of eight children born to Joseph and Edna (Hintz) Mussatti. As a young girl of 17, she embraced responsibility and care while nursing her mother to her passing from cancer, then helping to guide and nurture her younger sisters after the loss of their mother and, a few years later, their father. In early adulthood, Carol met and married her high school sweetheart, Gerald Frank Thompson Sr (“JT”). Together, they built a life defined by love, laughter, and adventure, sharing more than fifty wonderful years. Their home resonated with music and dancing, and Carol’s home was filled with delicious meals, heartfelt stories, and the joy of gathering. Following their years raising a family, Carol and JT embraced retirement with enthusiasm. They traversed over a million miles across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—most often on their Harley Davidson motorcycle—seeking out new friendships and experiences. For twenty-two years, they relished life as ‘snowbirds’ in Apache Junction and Quartzite, Arizona. After JT’s passing, Carol continued her traveling adventures with her children, always fostering togetherness and delighting in simple pleasures. Carol’s love of cooking inspired her to own and operate Pete’s Philadelphia Style Hoagie shops, where she welcomed patrons with her homemade recipes and signature sandwiches named for their ‘regular’ patron creators . Later, she closed out her career working for the Bellingham School District in food services, where she was openly appreciated by both staff and students alike. Throughout her journey, Carol faced both joys and sorrows. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald Thompson Sr, her sons Donald Vernon and Arthur Charles, granddaughter Brittany, and sons-in-law Kenneth and Jon. She will be deeply missed by her children: Michelle Thompson, Diane (Loren) Neyens, Laura Remsen, Jeffrey (Teri) Thompson, Valerie Frazier, Robert (Jodi) Thompson, Kyle (Shelly) Danielson, Heidi (Stu) Soderquist, Gerald Thompson Jr; her 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; her many nieces and nephews; and her dear sister, MaryAnn Bristor. Carol will be laid to rest in a private graveside ceremony. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at a memorial service to be held at 1 pm on what would have been her 88th birthday: Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Cornwall Church in Bellingham, Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice.

Carol Jean Thompson

September 18, 1937 - August 22, 2025