Linda Jean (Fishbeck) Thompson

Linda Jean (Fishbeck) Thompson, age 90, of Dewitt, Michigan, died peacefully at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan on April 11, 2026. She was a cherished wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, and her presence will be deeply missed.

She was born on June 19, 1935, in Lansing at St. Lawrence Hospital, the current location of Hospice House. She attended Main Street Elementary, West Junior High and J.W. Sexton High School. It was in this neighborhood that she met her future husband, J. Paul Thompson, Jr., the family’s paperboy. The romance blossomed and the two married at Lansing’s Central United Methodist Church on June 18,1955, while Linda was attending Michigan State. Linda continued her studies, graduating with a B.A. in Education, while Paul served in the Air Force.

During the next five years, Linda and Paul welcomed three daughters into the world. Life was busy for Linda, as she spent these years as a 3^rd grade teacher, pre-school educator, secretary for the United Methodist Conference, and ultimately as a travel agent and co-owner of her own agency, The Travel Group. Her love of travel overcame her fear of flying as she and Paul took many trips together and with family and friends.

She and Paul shared this passion with their grandchildren, too. They took the family on an Alaskan cruise to celebrate their 50^th anniversary. Each grandchild also experienced a personalized trip with grandma and grandpa when they turned 10, visiting all corners of the USA on those vacations. When the grandchildren graduated from high school, they were treated to a cruise anywhere in the world with a cousin. Linda and Paul took great joy in these adventures.

In the late 1960’s, Linda and Paul built a summer home on Lake Michigan, in the Little Point Sable Association—a community that would provide lifelong friendships, support, and memories for 60 years. “The Cottage” was also the primary gathering place for their daughters’ families each summer to enjoy extended time with cousins, aunts, and uncles, and especially with Grandma and Grandpa. These times were especially dear to the entire family.

And family was Linda’s reason for living. She and Paul made a point of attending every grandchild’s high school and college graduation. They were present for the first grandchild’s wedding. Linda was excited to welcome her first great-grandchild due this August. She was always supportive of their endeavors and was very generous with her time and resources.

As important as family was to her, Linda’s Christian faith was the cornerstone of her life. A member of Central United Methodist Church, Lansing, for almost her entire life, she was extremely active in all aspects of congregational ministry, with a particular passion and gift for children’s ministry. During her “snowbird years” in San Diego, she was active in the life of Hope United Methodist Church, and participated in the spiritual life of Little Point Sable during summers, finding great community with her Friends in Faith Bible Study group. She lived her life in witness of Christ’s love, grace, and mercy. She was accepting and inclusive — an example for us all.

Linda is survived by her daughters, Karen Thompson (David Dolloff) of Pacifica, CA;  Kristen Callen (Bruce) of Lansing, MI; and Kathryn MacLaren (Michael) of Lansing, MI; and her beloved grandchildren, Caroline and Suzanne MacLaren; Abigail, Elizabeth, and Emily Callen (Tim Roark); and Natalie and Christopher Dolloff. She is also survived by her Dutch daughter, Leontien Tiddens, beloved brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, J. Paul Thompson, Jr, her parents, Ken and Ruth Fishbeck, her dear sister, Carol Haga, and a baby daughter who died at birth.

A funeral and celebration of her life will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon following the service. Visitation of family and friends will be for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. The family requests that bright and cheerful colors be worn as part of a bright and glorious celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Central United Methodist Church, or Hospice House of Mid-Michigan at U-M Health-Sparrow St. Lawrence, 1210 W. Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI.  Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.