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John & Betty Meade posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Dear Dave and family, We were saddened to hear of Kay's passing. We will be thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. With love and sincere sympathy, John and Betty Meade and family
J
John & Betty Meade posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Dear Dave and family, We were saddened to hear of Kay's passing. We will be thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. With love and sincere sympathy, John and Betty Meade and family
j
john f. Johnston posted a condolence
Monday, March 14, 2016
Katharine Thompson's Eulogy
john f. Johnston
3-14-16
Herndon, Virginia
Katharine. Katharine (with an "a" ) Thompson. Katharine ..Dave's wife, Jason and Bill and David's Mom....Kay ...our friend. Each of us have our image of her....our memories with her, our feelings about her and the many roles she led in our lives...in her short life. The overwhelming task of painting an adequate snapshot of Katharine ...a snapshot that each of us fortunate to have known her could recognize was daunting.
While preparing these remarks one word continued to bubble up. One word that, at first, seemed out of place to describe this kind, gentle, profoundly sensitive soul.
That word, Hero. As if on some sort of loop, while organizing the images many others provided, the word hero would gently, yet, insistently whisper. At first, didn't fit. It didn't fit, because a hero is considered someone flamboyant, who performs a one time, courageous, daring feat. A hero pulls a stranger from the path of an on-coming run-a-way locomotive. A hero wrestles the weapon from a potential assailant. A hero is over-the-top. A hero is bigger than life and, following that incredible-- one-time-act , despite the fact that their effort was short-lived, and sometimes, merely a matter of happenstance, that individual is identified as forever a hero.
Heroism is rarely considered a characteristic that is on-going, day-to-day, a constant way of life. We see heroism as a one time courageous choice. We rarely see heroism as an on-going, day-to-day, life-style choice. Without some incident, some noteworthy—even newsworthy event; some once-in-a-lifetime dramatic action we overlook that heroism which is a deliberate way of life. Those heros among us who are indeed brave as well as gently reliable and kind and nurturing. Not just once in the face of some obvious danger who risk themselves, but those who day in and day out present a steadfastly positive attitude, reliable image and enduring model on sunny days as well as during times of intense stress and pain.
Katharine, Kay. She was an equestrian. Costanga ,"Chestnut," was her horse. Kay established and maintained that exquisitly complex relationship between horse and rider. Magnificent, physically powerful and sensitive are horses. Katharine, Katharine herself emotionally powerful and phenomenally sensitive and certainly magnificent. Kay was an equestian, masterful with an intimate understanding that could guide these powerful beasts.
In recent years, Kay focused upon rabbits. Rescuing them, providing them foster homes, safe havens for these ...these so vunerable fragile beings. She offered them safety, reliability, and loving care.
Each of us tend to fall into routines, standard practices that are performed unconsciously. We arise each day around the same time. We go to work at the same place with the same people. Make the same complaints. Talk about the same things. Often without even listening to other's responses. We expect that they will respond in their same routine way. These routines can render us unconscious...insensitive. We do the same things. Say the same things. We do not risk. Since we are so familiar with these practices, we need not notice, need not pay attention, need not even fully wake-up. We live life on automatic pilot. We sleep-walk through our days, our weeks, years, our very lives. We think to ourselves, "I have to get up. I have to go to work. I have to call my friend back. I HAVE to. I am compelled...I have no choice. I am not in control of my actions, of my life. I have to. I have no choice.
Choice. To choose. Choice. Katharine knew about Choice.
In a way, early in her life, Katharine herself was choosen. She was rescued. Both she and her brother, Don, were adopted by Mary and William Thompson. To adopt is to choose.
When we think of Kay's adoption as a type of rescue, it seems fitting that she devoted so much of her energy to being one who rescues.
That energy was not only devoted to rabbits. She rescued people. She offered refuge, sanctuary, reliable enduring kindness to those fortunate to know her.
Her gentle manner; always kind. Never negative comments. Her gaze, with those amazing eyes...her gaze was not a soul-penetrating examination...more a reassuring embrace.
Kay rescued each of us who knew her. We were safe with her. Safe with her steadfast Spirit, unshakable will, and enduring care.
The last few weeks, Katharine was confined to a bed. Her body had become a rigid and unremittingly painful prison. Nevertheless, she had for those who appeared at her bedside that same refreshing Spring smile. Her dazzling eyes offered each person that Spirit-renewing embrace. And, when she was strong enough to speak, she would offer a kind word.
She was grateful when visitors would appear, not so that she would be comforted, but she was grateful that she could comfort and care for them.
Confined in bed. Emprisoned in a unresponsive, yet constantly painful body, Kay's interest, Kay's focus, was on others.
This enduring heroic style was not new. It was not surprising. It was not a one-time-act. Kay had always, always choosen...had always...each day and each moment, decided to be positive, steady, to be heroic. She chose to focus on others and provide a reliable, gentle, nurturing safe haven.
It is customary when someone is ill, when someone dies, for friends and family members to offer to help. "If there is anything...anything at all that I can do, please let me know." Friends feel helpless. We wish we could will away the pain. We wish, but we can't. We feel helpless. We wish there was something real that we could do, a task we could accomplish.
This time, if you do wish you could do something...something to rescue you from some amount of that pain we each share in Kay's loss..if you wish there were something you could do to honor this gentle hero...there is.
Awaken today. Wake up from those routine automatic semi-conscious behaviors...wake up from the feeling that you "have to" and choose. Make a conscience choice to risk, to rescue someone. Engage in one, just one, heroic act in Kay's honor. You need not run into a blazing inferno to save an infant...not that sort of heroic act. Just awaken. Then, merely pay attention to someone, actually pay attention to them..to what they do, what they say. Pay attention to someone you care about...or a stranger. Extend yourself to someone in a gentle and genuine way, the way Katharine would. Offer a smile to someone who needs one. Remind someone you love, remind them that you do love them. Begin to repair a relationship that is crumbling. Rescue someone from their stress, their despair, their lonliness. Decide, identify your own caring act of heroism that you will perform today in honor of Katharine's memory.
Maybe for you, your act of heroism will be the start of a new enduring life-style choice. Maybe for you it will be a seemingly one time act....but for the other...for the one you rescue... it may forever endure.
Thank you, Katharine.
john f. Johnston
3-14-2016
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Vineeta posted a condolence
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Kay was a very special person. Kind, generous, affectionate and easy-going, and a wonderful friend and I miss her already. I am so very sorry she suffered so much. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Dave, and your family at this difficult time.
D
Don and Lynn posted a condolence
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Dave, Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Kay will truly be missed.
D
Desiree & Vince lit a candle
Friday, March 11, 2016
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We light our candle for our grief, for our memory & for our dear Katharine.
D
D CAPORUSCIO posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2016
D CAPORUSCIO purchased flowers (The FTD Pastel Peace Basket - Deluxe)
When someone close to you becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure! Katharine won't be forgotten. Condolences to you Dave. Sincerely, Desiree & Vince Caporuscio
T
The Given Family posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2016
Dear Dave and family, I'm so sad that she's gone. I cannot imagine your loss. Katharine was kind and loving and we will miss her tremendously, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Jim, Patty and Liliana
D
Desiree & Vince posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2016
Dave, This sad news reached out to me only just today, Friday. And, our heart aches of it. It's been too many years lost between the last time we connected. How we wish we had never lost touch! But, we still cherish and have the one & only gift both you and Katharine passed on to us many years ago, of your wonderful freezer, remember? May your heart and soul find peace and comfort! With deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved Katharine, Desiree & Vince
A
Aleceia B posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2016
To the Thompson Family I am so sorry for your loss. It is difficult to cope with the death of our dear loved one, but we have our special memories to help us to move forward. God is always there to comfort us (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). We can also consider Acts 24:15 where we read about the hope of the resurrection of both the just and unjust. I pray this helps you to find peace.
C
Clarissa posted a condolence
Thursday, March 10, 2016
To Dave and Family, My heart breaks to hear about Katharine. We loved her so much and I'm sad to see her go. I will never forget her kindness. May God give her eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain.
T
The Goodwin Family posted a condolence
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Dear Dave, We loved and enjoyed Kay so much. Her peaceful spirit and loving kindness will stay in our hearts always. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. We love you too, Dave, and we're praying for you and your family. Keep the faith. Love, May, Grant, Ethan & Evan
C
Charlie Frantz posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Dave, Bill and David, and families. I will keep Kay and you all in my prayers for a long time to come. I will never forget Kay and the many good times we have all had together. Love to you all. Charlie
D
Don and Lynn posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Don and Lynn made a donation to NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY
During this difficult time we would like to extend our most heartfelt sympathies. If you need a friend to help you through this, you know who to call. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
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Adams-Green Funeral Home & Crematory
721 Elden Street | Herndon, VA 20170
P: (703) 437-1764 or (703) 471-4090 | E: bill@adamsgreen.com
