Millie Thompson

November 10, 1920 - January 23, 2021

SAN DIEGO — Millie Aretta Thompson, a long time resident of San Diego, California, died in Ventura County, California, on January 23, 2021, at age 100.

Born in humble circumstances to Viola Mae and Isham Cain O’bryant in Mount Joy, Ohio, November 10, 1920, Millie was the fourth of 14 siblings surviving to adulthood. Preceded by Edna Grace, Lawrence (“Mike”), Norman Woodrow, and two siblings who died in infancy, Millie was followed by Mary Lois (“Toby”), George Ellis, Lottie Caroline, Herbert Eldon, Margaret Maxine, James Gordon, Ernest Carlos, Lester Arlyn (“Dink”), Janice Mae and Eula Jeanne.

Millie is survived by Arlyn, Janice, nieces, nephews, and later generations. Their father, a teacher, encouraged education, and Millie and 12 siblings graduated valedictorian. Millie moved to Washington D.C. in 1941, first as a clerk in the War Department, then served in the U.S. Army as Private First Class. After World War II, she moved to Los Angeles. She worked as a clinical laboratory technician in a Monrovia tuberculosis clinic before enrolling at the University of Southern California (U.S.C.) and earning a B.S. degree, cum laude. Her honors included Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and Iota Sigma Pi.

In 1946 she married Douglas Thompson and lived and worked in the Oxnard area. After divorcing, Millie returned to U.S.C. for post-graduate studies in Biochemistry (M.S. degree, 1959). In 1965, Millie was recruited to San Diego by Dr. Jonas Salk to work in his laboratory at the newly established Salk Institute. In 1978 she moved to Rochester, Minnesota, recruited by Dr. Vanda Lennon to supervise the establishment of Mayo Clinic’s Neuroimmunology Laboratory, and importantly the linking of its basic research and clinical diagnostic activities. On retirement in 1982, Millie initially moved to Ohio to care for her mother. In 1986 she returned to her beloved Mira Mesa home, where she reunited with friends and neighbors. Millie maintained lifelong correspondence with friends and co-workers from each chapter of her life. A talented watercolor artist, she enjoyed art classes, outdoor activities, and brunches.

Millie was an incredibly warm person and loyal friend. She is especially missed by her friends and neighbors in San Diego and her sister Janice and caretakers in Ventura. Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com