Dorothea M. (Mosley) Thompson

Dorothea M. Thompson, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died April 22, 2019, age 90. Dorothea was a graduate of Douglass, a Rutgers affiliate school, and she earned an M.L.S. and an M.A. in French literature, both from the University of Pittsburgh. For 24 years Dorothea worked as a reference librarian at Hunt Library at Carnegie Mellon University, becoming head of the department. Dorothea moved to Pittsburgh more than 50 years ago when her husband, Gerald L. Thompson, became a professor at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.  After retiring in 1997, Dorothea became a docent at the John Heinz History Center, where she conducted tours for schoolchildren until 2006. She was also a docent at Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Society from 2000 to 2009. Passionately fond of classical music and opera, Dorothea supported the arts in Pittsburgh and was a member of the Pittsburgh Opera Board. She was a member of the American Association of University Women and several book clubs. Dorothea was a bibliophile with a collection of more than 600 cookbooks, enjoyed entertaining, and was renowned for her fine cuisine. Imbued with Quaker spirituality, Dorothea was a progressive, liberal Democrat.  Dorothea is survived by her daughters Allison, Emily (Andreas Hayden), and Abigail (Dan Fortier), and seven grandchildren: Christopher and Emma; Alistair, Elisabeth, and Kristen; and Claire and Roger. A memorial celebration will be on Monday, June 17, 2019, 2-4 PM at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on 614 Dorseyville Rd, Pittsburgh PA.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothea’s name to the Pittsburgh Opera or the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

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