Margaret Leitch Thompson
If anyone took heed of Lord Tennyson’s musings about a life well lived, of “how dull it is to pause,” and that we should “drink life to the lees…to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield,” it would have been Margaret Leitch Thompson of Washington, who passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at the age of 91 in UPMC-Shadyside hospital, Pittsburgh.
An admired, loved, respected and dedicated member of the community of Washington for decades, Margaret “Maggie” Leitch Thompson was born October 30, 1926, in London, Ontario, Canada, to Herbert and Rita Leitch.
She possessed a keen interest in theater and as a young woman moved from Ontario to New York City, where she attended acting school and performed in a number of plays, including off-Broadway. Her devotion to theater continued after she moved to Western Pennsylvania in the 1950s. For several decades, she appeared in performances on numerous stages in Washington.
In 1968, Margaret married Robert David Thompson, also of Washington, ultimately leading to the Herculean task of raising eight children. Her love of people, learning and service to the community was not contained to the home, however. She became a U.S. citizen and graduated with a degree in sociology from Washington & Jefferson College in 1979. Although in her fifties, she became a popular student on campus by mentoring and befriending many of her younger classmates.
Margaret also became a valued member of Washington County Historical Society, wherein she served for 20 years, both as a board member and promoter of the society’s mission to keep Washington County history alive, vibrant and relevant. She was instrumental, from its inception, in the planning of “Art in the Garden,” the historical society’s signature fundraiser, at the LeMoyne House. Her desire to have a well-funded historical society was outdone only by her desire to bring exposure to local artists.
A believer in helping young women, Margaret served as an assistant leader of the local Girl Scouts and served in multiple capacities at the Washington YWCA. She also was the director of the Y-Teens program, which promoted leadership skills for girls.
In her later years, Margaret continued to have a positive impact on the community of Washington. In 2003, in furtherance of her late husband’s dedication to adult literacy, she commissioned artist Brody Parker Burroughs to paint “Learning Never Ends,” which resides at the entrance of the children’s floor of Citizens Library. In 2015, she was the moving force behind the re-dedication of DeLloyd “Dutch” Thompson Airfield at Washington County Airport.
Always an impeccable dresser and lover of people, Margaret befriended strangers, whom she considered friends not yet discovered, with her magnetic personality. More than a few have referred to her as their “surrogate mother.” She seemed to know everyone in Washington, was universally liked and was a fierce friend to those who knew her well. She enjoyed reading, gardening, live music, the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins. She likely was the only person to have witnessed Don Larsen’s perfect game for the Yankees in the 1956 World Series, was in attendance for the Immaculate Reception and was a fellow rider in an elevator with a young Elvis Presley at the Ritz Carlton in Paris.
Margaret leaves behind her children, Laurie Freeze Johnson (Jeffrey), Jane Ann Thompson, Katharine Kenward Thompson, Jonathon Douglas Freeze, Margaret Gordon Thompson-Schulz (Eric Schulz), David Molinaro-Thompson (Jacqueline) and Daniel James Thompson (Jennifer Barill). Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren, Gillian Helwig, Megan Berkstresser, Jessica Freeze, Neil Freeze, Robert Helwig, William Johnson and Ian Molinaro-Thompson.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Robert David Thompson in 2002, daughter Deborah Tyler Freeze in 2017, and sister Barbara Leitch Wilson.
Margaret’s life will be celebrated with family and friends on a future date to be announced.
Those individuals who wish to honor Margaret may make donations to Washington County Historical Society by sending a check to WCHS at 49 East Maiden Street, Washington, PA 15301, or visiting www.wchspa.org.