Barbara Earl Thomson

Barbara Earl Thomson, age 97, died Thursday, July 25, 2019 at her home in Olivet. She was born August 7, 1921 in Dalhousie, India, the daughter of Edwin C. and Barbara Thurtell Earl. Her first years were spent in India where her father was a physical educator with the YMCA; throughout her life, her childhood in India was central to her identity. In 1930 her parents returned to Flint, Michigan. She graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1939 and enrolled in Olivet College where she studied English Literature with her tutor, Teacher Copps (Dr. Abbie M. Copps), graduating in June 1943. On July 3, 1943 she married Olivet alumnus William Gregory Thomson. In 1978 she was awarded an M.F.A. from Olivet. Her project was Love's Mirror, an artist's book, a combination of poetry and prints. From childhood, Barbara found her home in the natural world. Her parents shared with her their love of the outdoors and their deep knowledge of birds and plants. She created magnificent gardens everywhere she lived and found great satisfaction in caring for her indoor plants. Birds were her friends. She knew them by sight and by sound and found solace in their company. Barbara's creative work was rooted in her belief in the holiness of beauty--"What's wrong with having aesthetics for your ethics?" she once asked--and her responses to the natural world. She was a writer, a poet. Throughout her life, until that time came that she could no longer see, she had pencil and paper close at hand lest she lose the passing word, phrase or thought. She was an accomplished artist, a watercolor painter and printmaker. Not surprisingly, her print medium was woodcut. She produced many prints and for thirty years family and friends received a Christmas greeting woodcut print. Barbara was also a librarian. Starting as a student library assistant in high school and for four years at Olivet, she worked extensively as a librarian. Typically, Barbara obtained a new library position each time her college professor husbands career took him from one college to the next. In all, she was a childrens librarian, a city librarian, a junior high school librarian, and twice a college librarian. Barbara was an exceptionally kind and gentle mother who entrusted her children to find their own way while she quietly manifested the highest of personal and social values. Her children deeply miss her as do her many friends. Barbara is survived by her son Gregg (Maurilia Flores) Thomson of Berkeley, California; daughters Sarah E. Thomson (Catherine Madsen and Joseph Boucher) of Amherst, Massachusetts and Barbara M. Thomson of Los Angeles; and foster daughter Faye Dowdell of Saint Petersburg, Florida. She was preceded in death by husband William Gregory Thomson, brother David M. Earl and sister Cynthia Earl Kerman. In keeping with Barbaras wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Those desiring may make contributions in Barbaras honor to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.birds.cornell.edu