Shirley Jean (Peverley) Thompson

Shirley Jean (Peverley) Thompson 92, retired nurse and homemaker, died Sunday, March 28, 2021. Born in Little River, KS, on October 22, 1928, she grew up in rural Rice County near Geneseo, KS. She was a farmer’s daughter, and had the skills to prove it, often working in the field during harvests and hay-baling, driving harvested grain to the grain elevators and helping to cook hearty meals that kept a farm family going. She learned to sew, garden, can foods, raise chickens, and a myriad of other tasks that are part of farm life. In 4-H, she also learned to raise and show sheep. She graduated from Geneseo High School in 1946 and entered Grace Hospital & Nursing School in Hutchinson, KS. Earning her Registered Nursing degree in 1949, she began working there professionally, eventually becoming a lead surgical nurse. A blind date with a junior aeronautics engineer led to her marriage to Claude M. Thompson, Jr. on July 25, 1954, and they set up their first home in Wichita, KS. Except for short sojourns in Dayton, OH, and Seattle, they would live in Wichita for the better part of the next 62+ years. Shirley worked as a medical office nurse until the first of their four daughters arrived. As the children grew, she stayed active in church and community affairs, including as a project leader for the Rolling Hills 4-H Club. She also helped found the Home Demonstration Unit in 1959 (now known as Extension Homemakers Unit), a homemaker outreach of the Kansas State Extension Service. She also was a member of the founding board of Botanica, The Wichita Gardens. With friends, she also helped form a successful women’s investment club. When the club dispersed after several years and divided profits, each member earned nearly $8,000. Once an empty nester, she refreshed her nursing credentials and served on staff at Riverside Osteopathic Hospital, and later, conducting physical exams for a life insurance company. Through her husband’s activities in the Midian Shrine Tin Lizzies and Van units, she supported the Shrine’s philanthropic work. She and Claude logged 25,000 miles driving patients to the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, MO. She was a longtime, active member at Westwood Presbyterian Church in Wichita, and a founding member of its Parish Nurse Ministry. Her hobbies included sewing, hand work and spending time with grandchildren. She was known for her nurturing spirit, patience, graciousness, hospitality, devotion to family and willingness to try just about anything. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude; her parents, Lowell E. and Lucille Peverley, and brother, Clinton J. Peverley. She is survived by daughters, Stephanie Thompson, MD, of Kansas City, MO, Melissa Maher (Pat) of Albuquerque, NM, Beth Rhodes of Springfield, MO, Amy Timmons (Andrew) of Wichita; seven grandchildren, Jay, Jack, Delia, Kyle, Catherine, Katelyn and Preston; three great-grandchildren, Patrick, Monroe and McKinley; nephews, Bruce Peverley (Andrea), Randy Pierce (Carolyn), Aaron Taylor and Dan Taylor, and first cousins, Sharon Bechtel (Carl) and Janice Rothchild (Daryle). Visitation, 9:30 a.m.; Funeral Service, 10:30 a.m., both Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Westwood Presbyterian Church. The service will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/Westwood-Presbyterian-Church-117861424900044. Memorials have been established with the Parish Nurse Ministry at Westwood Presbyterian Church, 8007 W. Maple, Wichita, KS 67209 and Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, 701 Amidon St., Wichita, KS 67203. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.