Jean Morrette Thompson

Jean Morrette Thompson died Friday, July 31, 2026 at her home in Carlisle. She was 102 years old.

Jean was born at Carlisle Hospital on Feb. 24, 1924 to Orvil B. and Katherine Morrette. She was the widow of Joseph V. Thompson Jr., former publisher of The Sentinel, who died in June 1994.

She was a graduate of Carlisle High School’s Class of 1940 and Shippensburg State Teachers College. After graduation, she was hired as a teacher at her high school alma mater, teaching commercial classes at Carlisle’s Lamberton Building until 1950.

What followed were many years as a homemaker and community volunteer, though later in life Jean also worked in retail for the former Long’s Ladies Shop in downtown Carlisle, and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Raised in Carlisle’s Second Presbyterian Church, Jean transferred to First Presbyterian Church after marriage in 1949, eventually serving as an Elder, a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher there.

In the community, she was an active volunteer through the years with groups including the Carlisle Hospital Auxiliary, Samaritan Fellowship, Maranatha-Carlisle, Meals on Wheels and Cumberland County Historical Society. Jean was named Volunteer of the Year at the historical society for her work as a docent and photo identification specialist.

She and Joe were also longtime members of the Carlisle High School Band Boosters, working many concession stands and other projects for bands that toured Europe, marched in the Macy’s Day Parade and travelled to festivals in Disney World, Myrtle Beach, Washington D.C. and many other places.

In addition to any chance to be with her many friends and family, Jean especially enjoyed her family’s annual trips to Ocean City, N.J., reading a good book, her long-running bridge club and solving a tough crossword puzzle.

At her core she was a faith-filled, gracious person with an unshakeable belief that things work out, with God’s help; there are always better days ahead; and it’s our job to do what we can to demonstrate that to others. We are all better for having had her in our lives.

Surviving are four sons, Joseph V. III of Vestal, N.Y.; Arthur, of Carlisle; Michael (wife Cathy), of Dedham, Mass.; and Charles (wife Beth Ann) of Carlisle; grandchildren Jacob, Alice, Peter, Jessica, Lauren, Andrew, Brian and Sarah; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family would like to say a special thanks to Lori Martone, a home health aide who not only helped make sure Jean could continue to live at home through the last two years, but also significantly raised her quality of life for much of that time.

A memorial service honoring Jean’s life will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in First Presbyterian Church, followed by a lunch reception in the church’s Fellowship Hall. A burial service will precede the memorial at 10 a.m. in Westminster Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2A N. Hanover St., Carlisle PA 17013.