Obituary of Laura Thomson

Laura Frances (Shipp) Thomson, age 74, of Independence, passed away on Sunday March, 22, 2015. She touched the lives of people throughout the state of Kentucky in her six-decade career in education. Helping a child learn, particularly one with special needs, was not only her life's work, it was her passion. Born in Lexington on June 29, 1940 to Mildred and Robert Henry Shipp, she was a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Louisville. Mrs. Thomson began her education career as an elementary school teacher in Fort Knox, Kentucky and went on to teach children with physical and mental handicaps at the Easter Seals Opportunity School in Covington during the 1970's. As Director of the Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services, Mrs. Thomson led efforts to ensure that the educational needs of special education students in the five county Northern Kentucky area were fulfilled. She was a leader of the Traineeship Program, which helps defray tuition costs for teachers wanting to pursue certification in special education. Additionally, Mrs. Thomson served as a mentor to teachers via the Kentucky Teacher Intern Program. She received numerous awards for her leadership and service to the community, including being named one of The Kentucky Post's Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky in 1997. She was past president of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children, and an active member and leader in Phi Delta Kappa. Mrs. Thomson is survived by her husband of 53 years, Keller C. Thomson (Bud), daughter Kaye Bergman of Independence, son Steve Thomson of Walton, son David Thomson of Independence, sister Mary Bob Sebree of Dry Ridge. She has 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A visitation for Mrs. Thomson will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from 5PM until 8PM at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home in Independence. Funeral Service will be Thursday, March 26, 2015 beginning at 11AM, also at the Funeral Home. Interment will be at Independence Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Alzheimer's Association, 644 Linn St., Suite 1026 Cincinnati, OH 45203.