Marjorie E. Thompson, 60

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Marjorie E. Thompson (Drucker), of Providence, passed away Sept. 15 at Home and Hospice Care of R.I., peacefully surrounded by family and close friends. She was a lifelong educator, learner and artist.

She came to Brown University as an undergraduate in 1970 (B.S. Biochemistry ’74; Ph.D. Anatomy ’79), continuing on to serve the university for 31 years as the associate dean of biology and undergraduate affairs. She inspired innumerable students as a trusted academic advisor and teacher of embryology, histology and scientific illustration. It was her great professional passion to help students navigate their undergraduate careers and move into the world as contributing members in their fields. She has maintained close ties with many former students who will fondly remember her “chalk talks,” yellow legal pad concentration maps, and wise guidance.

Her other great passion in life was music. Having played guitar since she was a young child, in 2000 she embarked on a second career as a songwriter, performer and, of course, teacher. She wrote songs and played finger-style guitar in the country blues genre. Her music is a rich illustration of the world, ranging from the surreal to the sublime to the hilarious. She has released seven studio albums, six instructional DVDs, taught many workshops at the Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp, and performed across the country and internationally.

Together with her husband of 36 years, Ian, she raised a family of seven children. She declared her children and their tight-knit relationship one of her proudest accomplishments: “Together, you are an organism.”

She is survived by her parents, Louis and Mildred (Yellin) Drucker; her husband, Ian Thompson; her children, Alexis Thompson (Sarah Bowman), Graham Thompson (Kamila Thompson), Ariel Thompson, Caitlyn Thompson, Riley Thompson, Zoë Thompson, Griffin Thompson; and her grandchildren, Holden and Petra Thompson-Bowman.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Home and Hospice Care of R.I., 1085 N Main St, Providence, R.I. 02904.