Delores Thompson, born July 22, 1929, in Seattle, passed away Jan. 5, 2010 in Coupeville.

Dee grew up in Seattle and graduated from Garfield High School in 1948 and then from the University of Washington in 1955. A pioneer in women’s sports, Dee participated in basketball, field hockey and softball. She also directed a Girl Scout camp in Juneau, Alaska.

A pioneer in the possibilities of television communication in education, Dee qualified for a master’s degree at the University of North Carolina in 1957. Her thesis researched the role of television in education. She also taught dance in a Quaker college.

Returning to the Pacific Northwest, Dee taught school in Hoquiam, Bremerton and Seattle. She retired from Ballard High School in 1988. She was a wonderful teacher who respected and was respected by her students.

Traveling between Washington and Arizona highlighted Dee’s retirement years. She could be found tramping through Kalaloch National Park or walking Whidbey Island beaches for agates, or in Tucson researching the native culture and native plants and animals.

Those of us who love Dee agree the world is a poorer place without her.