Honoring Melanie's Legacy and Family

Melanie Thompson, wife of Eric Thompson, sadly succumbed to cancer after a long, courageous battle on February 15, 2025.

Melanie dedicated her life to helping others. In 2005, she earned her degree as a medical assistant, before deciding in 2019 to continue teaching the next generation of children. Her passion for education evolved at Groton Public Schools, working many roles including substitute teacher, paraprofessional, Special Education tutor, among so many others. Her students often referred to her as Mrs. T., a symbolic gesture of her relaxing demeanor and love for her "other kids". Her evenings were spent tutoring students over the computer as she continued through chemotherapy. Cancer never held her back from what fulfilled her most.

Melanie dedicated much of her life to the military. Shortly after graduating high school in 1989, she entered the United States Navy where she met her first husband, the late Christopher Rice, until she gave birth to her first child. She married Eric Thompson in 1998, championing his career until his retirement in 2016. She served on multiple Family Readiness Groups (FRG) and served as an Ombudsman on the USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN-760). Melanie also supported her sons-in-law, Zachary Howe and Michael Phillips, during their time in the service.

Her fight against Colon Cancer began in 2017, initiating a lengthy battle that inspired others. She found joy in the things around her, from arts and crafts to the beach. Often times, you could find Melanie at the beach in a chair, toes buried in the sand, or at her favorite local business Board and Brush, creating her next masterpiece for the walls of the homes of people she loved. She loved to spend her evenings creating hand-stitched works of art or crocheted blankets to adorn the beds of her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children Megan, Christine, MariAnne, Christopher, and Mason, and her grandchildren Emmalyn, Mackenzie, Harper, and Lillian.

Any donations received will go towards funeral expenses and continued financial support as Eric continues to raise Mason.

From the Thompson-Rice family,

Thank you