Ginger Lee Thompson, 87, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident and beautician passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Mountain Glen Retirement Community in Mount Vernon.
Ginger was born in Burlington, Washington on January 29, 1922, the daughter of Gordon Eugene & Annie Lee Bergen Hemphill. She was raised and attended grade school in the Bow area and graduated from Burlington-Edison High School with the class of 1940. She then attended and graduated from Mount Vernon Beauty School and was rated as third in the state.
Ginger then moved to California with her brother and sister and there opened her first beauty shop.
It was in California, that thru mutual friends and her love of music that she met another Skagit County native, Art Thompson. Ginger and Art were united in marriage in Allen, Washington in 1951, but they continued to make their home in California until returning to Skagit County, settling in Sedro-Woolley in 1958. Ginger then opened her second shop, Ginger Lee’s Beauty Salon, located on Ferry Street which she operated for many years until Art built her a shop located next to their home. Ginger finally retired at the age of 81 after being a beautician for over 60 years.
Ginger loved music and played the piano. She would play in bands with Art, who played the drums, while in California and then around Skagit County.
Ginger is survived by her daughter, Rosalee Friedl and her husband Doug of Sedro-Woolley. Her grandson, Scott Friedl of Sedro-Woolley and step-granddaughter, Traci Friedl of Tacoma. A sister, Kathleen Ferguson of Sedro-Woolley and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Gordy Thompson; her husband Art; brother, Bob Hemphill and sister, Mildred Wilkinson.
A Life Celebration for Ginger will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Mike Milnes officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.