Mary Ann Thompson remembered for her kindness, smile and love of community

By Teddy Rydquist
Leader Staff Writer
Mary Ann Thompson, the Addison Township Clerk for two decades from 1976-96, passed on June 18. She was 77-years-old.
“What strikes me more than anything else, since I have taken the job, is the township is growing much faster than most of its residents realize,” Thompson told former Leader staff writer Steve Neef in January 1977, just two months into her tenure.
Thompson was not simply along for the ride in this population growth, either, she played an active role in building the community into what it is today, always doing so with the best interest of the residents in mind.
“Mary Ann was the one who actually started the library, I remember she always had a very strong love for books, and she was the one who put together the first library there on the back of the township in Leonard,” shared Linda Douglas, Thompson’s Deputy Clerk for all but four years of her 20-year tenure.
“She had the heart to take care of the cemetery, she did a lot of the things that were accomplished during her time as the clerk. She was a great clerk and helped me a lot, I thought a lot of Mary Ann.”
Douglas and Thompson knew one another dating back to their high school days and became even closer in adulthood through not only their working relationship, but their strong, shared Christian faith.
“After we each were married, we went to church together,” Douglas said.
“Mary Ann was a good Christian. I talked to one of her daughters yesterday (July 7), and she said she had her mom’s bible and it was amazing to her to read the things she had written in it.
“Mary Ann knew the Lord as her savior, and I know that’s where she is. What a comfort to everyone who knew her and loved her.”
A quarter-century ago, Thompson decided not to seek re-election after the completion of her fifth term to spend more time with her growing family. Running unopposed for the position in 1976, she did not initially plan on serving for as long as she did but found it difficult to walk away from the township she loved.
“It’s exhilarating, tiring, exciting, and it’s the end for me,” Thompson confirmed with former Leader reporter Peggy Murray following the completion of her final election duties in November 1996.
“It’s been a good 20 years. Our staff is exceptional. I’m going to miss them and I’m going to miss the residents.
“It gets in your blood. There are so many issues, you start taking them so seriously.”
Thompson was succeeded as Addison Township’s Clerk by the wonderful Pauline Bennett, who still holds the role to this day, giving her a 24-year tenure of her own.
“Mary Ann was always there for her community,” Bennett said. “She had a passion for Addison Township and kindness for the residents. Mary Ann was always the go-to person if you needed help. One could not ask for a better role model. Her service will always be remembered.”
Village of Leonard President Mike McDonald, who served as the township’s supervisor from 1988-92, echoed Bennett’s sentiments.
“Mary Ann was a very family-oriented person and she took care of and treated the township like it was her extended family,” he recalled. “Not only the people who worked at the township, but the residents, too. My condolences go out to Mary Ann’s family. I was sorry to learn of her passing, all the best to them.”
Lyn and Penny Allen, in part, posted on The Leader’s website, “Mary Ann will be remembered for her kindness, her smile, and her love for her family. She will be remembered by the community she loved and those she served for many years. I will remember her as the sweet gal who married my childhood friend, Jimmy. Jim loved her and was proud of all her accomplishments. She will be missed . . .”
After stepping down from public office, Mary Ann and her husband, Jim, moved to Lapeer before making the move south to Florida to be closer to their daughter, Laura.
In addition to Jim, to whom she was married for 57 years, and Laura, Mary Ann is survived by her older daughter, Kimberly, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

  Mary Ann Thompson