LEWISTOWN, PA — Clara M. Thompson, 86, formerly of 259 Franklin Rd., Jay, died Friday, June 11 at the Ohessen Manor in Lewistown, PA.

She was born on Nov. 14, 1923, in Livermore, the daughter of James Arnold and Cecile (Mitchell) Drysdale.

She graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1941. On June 3, 1943 she married Gerald O. Thompson of Jay. They raised a family there and worked his father’s farm. She worked at Livermore Falls Shoe Company for several years before going to Farmington State Teachers College and graduated as an elementary school teacher. She taught school in Livermore Falls, Fayette and Canton.

She was a member of the Eaton Memorial United Methodist Church in Livermore Falls for many years, where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She also enjoyed growing flowers, taking pictures with several types of cameras, sketching, painting, crocheting and knitting. She was also an excellent cook, loved going on trips where she would drive for hours and never tire, especially to Pennsylvania to see her daughters and grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Heimbach and her husband, Robert, of McVeytown, PA; son, Gerald Thompson, Jr. of Jay; son, Bruce Thompson and his wife, Eva, of Livermore; daughter, Pamela Sechrist and her husband, Roy, of McVeytown, PA; 20 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gerald on Dec. 2, 2003; two brothers, Arnold and James; two sisters, Agnes Scappaticci and Lurine Stanhope.