Violet R. Thompson

Violet “Vi” R. Thompson (née Rietheimer), a resident of Vincentown, NJ, passed away on Friday, February 16. For 52 years, Violet was the beloved wife of Charles S. Thompson, Jr., who passed away last October. Violet Thompson devoted most of her professional life to advancing public education for all children, as well as for public school teachers. Upon graduating from University of Pennsylvania with a BS and MS in Education, she embarked on her chosen profession as a teacher. Starting at the Elementary level, she spent the next 13 years teaching at every level of the K-12 education system, from Elementary, through Middle School and High School, in South Jersey, specifically Burlington County. She also taught math at Trenton State College for 10 years. To supplement her formal education at University of Pennsylvania, she enrolled in several Graduate courses at Trenton State, Glassboro State (now Rowan University), and Rutgers University. Her goal was not only to continually increase her knowledgebase, but ultimately to attain an advanced degree in Educational Administration and Leadership. As a result of her demonstrated excellence in teaching, and her increasing commitment to educational leadership, Violet was personally and professionally sought after and actively recruited to be Principal of both Baker and South Valley Schools. In 1980, as a newly-appointed Principal, she became a member of the New Jersey Principal and Supervisors Association (NJPSA). In 1982, she was elected President of NJPSA, which recognized her as an education leader. In 1987, Violet was selected as the New Jersey National Distinguished Principal of the Year by NJPSA, and in October of that year, she was honored at a black-tie awards reception and banquet in Washington, DC As the Principal of South Valley Elementary School, in Moorestown, NJ, Violet received a national blue ribbon award for an outstanding School of Excellence, from the US Secretary of Education. She was also a negotiator for the Moorestown Board of Education for many years. To protect the current and future use of farmland, Charles and Violet Thompson drafted the first land use ordinance for Southampton Township. They were active supporters of agriculture, and owned a large heirloom cranberry bog in Tabernacle, NJ. Musically trained at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Mrs. Thompson was the organist at St. Mary of the Lakes, in Medford, NJ, for over 30 years. Violet received numerous awards throughout her life, and was a member of several honorary societies. Violet is survived by three loving children, daughters Mary-Ann Thompson, of Vincentown, NJ, and Kathleen Wright, of Savannah, GA, and son, Charles S. Thompson, III, of Dallas, TX. Funeral service will be held 11 am, Tuesday at the Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mt. Holly. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, and on Tuesday morning from 10:00 am until time of service. Interment will follow at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, North Hanover Twp. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Rancocas Conservancy, PO Box 2188, Vincentown, NJ 08088, www.rancocasconservancy.org

Violet R. Thompson

February 20, 1921 - February 16, 2013