Yvonne Lea Thomson

Yvonne Lea Thomson

May 6, 1937 -March 19, 2023

Yvonne Lea Thomson of Williamsport, Maryland, passed away on March 19, 2023, just six weeks before her 86^th birthday. She was an extraordinary Woman and the world will be a lesser place without her in it. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a dear friend to many; she was also creative, fun, stylish, generous, kind, and adventurous. She loved traveling, especially with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra Guild on trips every year to European destinations and her favorite place, France. Her hobbies were many and quite varied; she enjoyed cooking and entertaining (her chocolate chip cookies were legendary), knitting, flower gardening, and collecting vintage furniture and quilts that she used to decorate her lovely old farmhouse in Leitersburg and then her gracious French Country home in Williamsport.  In both places, Yvonne loved gathering friends around her dining table that was always set elegantly with her many collections of china on a beautiful cloth purchased in France. Her luncheons were often inspired by Martha Stewart, and she liked recreating a Martha menu from appetizer to rich dessert, to the delight of all her guests.

But Yvonne also lived a life of public service, and was an active and involved member of her community. She served on the Task Force for the Homeless, the Washington County Community Action Council, and the Hagerstown Garden Club. She was an avid patron of the Maryland Symphony and served in leadership positions with the Orchestra Guild for several years.

Yvonne had a very successful career in Real Estate for many years, and was highly respected for her integrity and work ethic.

She was an accomplished realtor, first licensed in 1973, serving all of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. She was a graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI) and a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS).

 Yvonne and her husband, John Thomson, were founding members of Re/Max Achievers in Hagerstown, where Yvonne served as Broker. Yvonne participated in several committees for both the local board and state association, including Distinguished Sales Associate, Education, Grievance, Strategic Planning, and the Professional Standards Committees. She received several honors in real estate, including Top Producer in both the Million Dollar and Five Million+ Dollar Sales Club.

Yvonne Lea Funkhouser was born on May 6, 1937 in Shenandoah, Iowa; her parents were Paul and Verna Cleven Funkhouser and Yvonne was one of three sisters. Shenandoah remained a special place to her throughout her life and she always looked forward to visiting family and old friends from college at Peru State College and University of Nebraska at Kearney and Lincoln. In both high school and college, Yvonne loved singing in the choirs and acting on stage in several plays. She was both beautiful and talented.

Yvonne’s husband, John D. Thomson, “Tom,” preceded her in death on November 20, 2022.

Also preceding, besides her parents, were her sister, Judith Kay Funkhouser Wegener and lifelong friend, Jan Miller Smith.

Yvonne is survived by her three children: Scott Wesley Strong (Monica); Lisa Strong Mott (Steven); and Michelle Ann Strong.  Her four grandchildren are Foster Gage Warren III; Nicole Irene Strong; Emily Mae Strong; Marshall Oren Mott.

She is also survived by three step-children: Melinda Kathleen Lindaman (Joseph); John Charles Thomson (Lesley); David Forest Thomson (Kathleen); also thirteen step-grandchildren; thirteen step-great grandchildren.

She also leaves behind her brother-in-law Charles Ringhofer; her sister-in-law Sandra Thomson.

And last, her very much loved sister, Sherry Shearer, and brother-in-law Kirk Shearer; and two very close and dear friends who will forever feel her absence, Dixie Myers (Robert) and Martha Talton (Hugh).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to  Maryland Symphony Orchestra, 21 S. Potomac St. 2^nd Floor Hagerstown MD 21740

A CELEBRATION OF YVONNE’S LIFE WILL BE HELD THIS SUMMER.

Online condolences may be expressed at Rest Haven Funeral Home.