Dear Holy Community,
With sorrow, I am writing to inform you inform you that our friend Bette Thompson passed away on February 8, shortly before midnight. Bette was an active member of the Or Shalom community for many years. She was a welcoming presence in our sanctuary, reaching out to make connections from her seat in the back pew. She beautified our services with her finely made tallitot, which will continue to colourfully dot our kahal. May the memory of Elisheva Me’ira bat Avraham v’Sarah be for a blessing – yehe zichra baruch.
Bette Ewene Thompson was born in Kaitaia, New Zealand, in 1942, the youngest of three children. Her parents Wilfred and Stella Thompson were dairy farmers in the rural settlement of Victoria Valley. Bette is predeceased by her brother William Thompson, and will be mourned by her sister Patricia Davis. She is also predeceased by her son Brooke Hakari Thompson, who died in 1972 at one day of age. Bette’s surviving daughter is Meredith Kim Reretai Thompson, currently living in Lebanon.
Bette will be remembered by her nephews David Thompson and Richard Thompson, and her nieces Amanda Davis and Paula Davis. Also, by her great nephews and nieces, Kingsley and Madison Thompson, and Tyler and Paige Dixon.
Or Shalom will memorialize Bette at a virtual Shiva Minyan on Wednesday evening, February 16, 7 pm. Please join to hear more about Bette’s life, to share stories, and to elevate Bette’s soul with a communal Kaddish.
Hamakom yenachem etchem b’toch shaar avlei Tzion v’Yerushalayim – May our mourners be comforted together with the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
With blessings,
Rabbi Hannah
Read Bette Thompson’s member bio here.
Recording of the Shiva service for Bette:
