Julia V. Thompson

Age 96
Somerville
Julia V. Thompson, 96, of Somerville, died peacefully Saturday, July 6, 2013 at the Holly Center, Bridgewater. Julia, a lifelong resident of Somerville, was born June 28, 1917 to Hugh Gaston and Elizabeth (Dodd) Van der Veer. She graduated from Somerville High School in 1935 and from Skidmore College in 1939.
After working briefly in New York City, she returned to Somerville and worked at Philgas and Johns Manville. In 1943, she married Robert M. Thompson of Minneapolis and raised two sons and two daughters. She later worked at All Weather Tennis Club and as a secretary at United Reformed Church in Somerville.
For over 60 years, she actively volunteered in her community, believing "by volunteering, you receive more than you give." At Somerset Medical Center, she began as a nurse's aide during World War II and continued to volunteer on committees and in the gift shop. She also worked for many years for the American Red Cross on their local blood drives. An avid bridge player, she belonged to several bridge clubs. She was also a lifelong member of the Somerville History Club. Julia's husband predeceased her in 2009. She is survived by her sons, Hugh and his wife Anne of Chesterland, Ohio; James and his wife Sharon of Hillsborough; daughters, Evelyn of Somerville and Ginny of Rutland, Vermont; three grandchildren, Jennifer Stephan, Linda Thompson and Christopher Thompson; and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings Evelyn Van der Veer of Somerville and Lindsley Van der Veer of Pittsburg, PA. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, August 7 at 11:00 am at Arbor Glen Retirement Community, 100 Monroe Avenue, Bridgewater. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be sent to Somerset Medical Center Foundation, 110 Rehill Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876