Heather Gwynne Thompson
Born and raised in Tucson Arizona Heather Gwynne Thompson has chosen paths often different from those of her friends and family. She was enrolled early in the Tucson Unified School District's G.A.T.E program. Her artwork decorated her room and spread to other's offices at their places of work. Heather spent a week for several summers at the Triangle Y Ranch Camp and that led to her completion during high school of a 23-day Colorado Outward Bound mountaineering course at the end of which she was commended for her leadership skills. She served as a counselor at the Triangle Y Ranch Camp in Oracle and volunteered for the Christian Community Church at an orphanage in Ímuris, Sonora Mexico. Heather was graduated from University High School and attended the University of California at Santa Cruz for one year before returning to Tucson and the University of Arizona. While a student at the UA she passionately served the lives of young children as a visit supervisor for Aviva Inc. contracted by Child Protective Services. She also worked to enhance people's gardens and to build her own life. She was graduated from the University of Arizona majoring in Psychology with a minor in Architectural Theory with additional emphasis in mathematics and business. Following graduation Heather completed basic combat training for the United States Army at the rank of specialist before returning to Tucson. Her continuing love of music art gardening and landscaping design and crafts has sustained her life as well as enriched the lives of others. Heather Thompson is my beloved daughter. I am honoring her because from the moment she entered this world and energetically lifted her head off my chest to have a good look at me and the world around her she has taken on life's challenges - of which there have been many - and has been a good friend and loyal loving person to those who have welcomed her into their lives. As a baby girl and now young woman she has brought us laughter as well as tears and has shown us the meaning of courage. Through the years she has stretched my mothering skills as well as my imagination awed me with her intelligence tenacity and grit in spite of difficult hurdles and has challenged us to make this a better world in which to live. We love you Heather.