Obituary of Shawna Lee Thompson

Obituary Shawna “Goolady” Lee Thompson, age 52 of Tucson, Arizona, passed away quietly on Monday 20 May 2019 from pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her mother, Roselyn Thompson; an older sister, Lorna Chavez; two older brothers: Jonathan and Jonah; and a very special friend, Robert Talbert, who become a beloved brother. Her father, John Thompson, preceded her in death. The family would like to thank Mark Sowers of Sowers Memorials in Tucson for providing, so timely, wonderful markers, which will be placed on Shawna’s, her father John Thompson’s, and grandmother Lucy Harrison’s, graves in Shiprock, New Mexico. Shawna was born in Cortez, Colorado on 4 June 1966 and lived in Kayenta, Arizona from age three until her graduation from Monument High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona on 10 May 2002. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Information Technology and Library Science from the University of Arizona on 11 May 2012. She was a valued member of the University of Arizona library community, where she worked as a library information associate and served on the Diversity, Social Justice, and Equity Council. Her quiet strength and commitment to excellence is missed by UA university students, faculty, and the library community nationwide. Shawna was a member of the Pima Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Tucson, Arizona where she served on the Nominating Committee, the Ministry and Oversight Committee, as recording clerk, and as clerk. Her Spirit-centered leadership helped the community through a time of sometimes difficult change. Shawna returned to her beloved home of Kayenta many times throughout her life, including her final “bucket list” trip to Kayenta and Monument Valley with her mother and four friends. Monument Valley was a spiritual place for her; while there, she awoke from the fog of her sickness and became completely lucid to enjoy the rest of her time. She, her mother, and traveling friends want to thank the Quaker community for sponsoring this trip. It was the trip which Shawna much desired and needed. Shawna was a published poet with her work recognized by many people who enjoyed poetry. At events she was known to hand out and share short poems, which allowed people to meet and interact with her. As many of us found, this was a treasured interaction and will be a lifelong memory. Everyone that she spent time with felt as if she had brought them to life. Shawna was interred at the Shiprock cemetery between her father and grandmother on Saturday 25 May 2019. There will be two memorial services honoring Shawna. The first will be held in northern Arizona, in Kayenta, AZ 86033 at the Harvest Time Church, Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 10:00am. The second memorial service will be in Tucson, AZ. A Quaker Memorial Meeting will be held for Shawna on Saturday, September 28th at 11:00am. Thank you, Shawna's family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shawna Lee Thompson, please visit our floral store.