Obituary of Cheryl Diane Thompson

Cheryl Thompson, age 73, died on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at her home in Colorado Springs. She was a retired Special Education Teacher's Aide, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Cheryl Diane Hale was born on December 8, 1943 in Oil City, Pennsylvania to the late Lewis A. Hale and Cathryn L. (Henry) Hale. She grew up in Corry, Pennsylvania and was a graduate of Corry Area High School, class of 1961.She lived in Albany, New York while married to William S. Shuster, and then lived briefly in Las Vegas, where she later met and married John W. Carpentier on September 16, 1971. After a short residence in Connecticut, she move to Tucson, Arizona, where she resided for nineteen years. While living in Tucson, Cheryl had a career in Special Education at Desert View High School and volunteered extensively in her local community. She was an advocate for children with special needs and literacy, and worked tirelessly for environmental causes, leading to the establishment of the first recycling outlet in her community. After retiring, Cheryl moved to Newport, Oregon. She married Lawrence W. Thompson on July 20, 1996. While living in Oregon, she worked part time at the Arctic Circle seafood restaurant to keep herself busy.Cheryl had a warm smile, the genuine kind that was so big the whole world could fit in. She was an avid reader and enjoyed live music and the theater. She loved to travel and was often the first pair of feet to step on the dance floor. She had an openness that welcomed everyone. She will best be remembered for her free spirit, joyful laugh, and sense of humor.She is survived by her husband, Larry Thompson of Colorado Springs; her son, Timothy Shuster; daughter-in-law, Toni Mitobe-Shuster; grandson, Kekoa Shuster of Honolulu, Hawaii; her son-in-law, Michael Olszowy; and her loving daughter, Michelle Carpentier of Erie, Colorado.She was preceded in death by her father, Lewis A. Hale; her sister, Patricia L. Cameron; and her mother, Cathryn L. (Henry) Hale.Private family services will be held at The Inn at Garden Plaza in Colorado Springs, Colorado at a future date. Memorials in her name may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation or the Mario Pastega House through Good Samaritan. Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Thursday, September 28, 2017 12:00AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855