Sheila Fiske Pearte Thompson

Sheila Fiske Peart Thompson, 98, of Midland, passed away Thursday, January 17, 2019. Rosary will be 6:00pm Monday, January 21, 2019 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Memorial service will be 1:00pm Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at St. Stephens Catholic Church.Sheila was born in San Francisco, California on February 10, 1920 to Hartley Fiske Peart and Loretto O’Brien Peart. She had one sister Barbara Peart Brandstetter.When Sheila was age 6, she went off to school at Lysee of Versai in Switzerland. At the age of 8 she returned to San Francisco and was enrolled at Notre Dame De Victoire. At 9 years of age she was enrolled in Dominican Convent. At the age of 13 she spent a year in Madrid, Spain where she attended Convent de Jesus Maria and summered in Miyoka, Spain. Upon her return from Spain, Sheila completed her high school education at Cominican Convent in San Francisco. Upon graduation she returned to Europe for a year and attended a finishing school in Rome, Italy.Sheila returned to San Francisco and started her singing career. Excelling in her craft, she became a member of the San Francisco and Los Angeles Civic Light Opera companies where she gave performances for California Hospitals for Soldiers. Sheila also joined the San Francisco Opera Company where she performed in La Boheme. As her experience grew, she starred in her own radio show, “Songs by Sheila” in the famous Palace Hotel’s Rose Room in San Francisco. She was described as having a powerful, clear, sweet voice with plenty of range and a dramatic appeal. She has an extensive repertoire of all types of songs including arias in costume, ballads, musical comedy, songs in Spanish, French and Italian, comical selections and a great number of solos suitable for every age. She studied under voice coach Earl Brent and MGM Studios and under his tutelage Sheila performed for Baroness Reeder, who arranged entertainment for US Troops during WWII. As a result of this performance, she began entertaining the wounded soldiers returning from the war. During this time Sheila was introduced to a dashing 27 year old Army Lieutenant named Frank L. Thompson. This introduction developed into a relationship resulting in Sheila and Frank becoming husband and wife on December 18, 1945.The couple established themselves in Midland, Texas where they started a family and resided for over 34 years. They had 4 children Michael, Loretto, Theresa and Barbara Ann. Sheila performed in Midland Community Theater in many different aspects as a director, singing coach, and acted in I Do I Do, Oklahoma, Sound of Music, and South Pacific just to name a few. Sheila was a member of Midland Symphony & Chorale and Midland Opera Co. She was a Pink Lady at Midland Memorial Hospital in the Auxiliary, and the first woman to be a member of the Midland Memorial Hospital Board. Sheila became a founding member of Midland Junior League and an honorary and founding member of the Midland Musicians Club.She was an added pleasure to her daughters' weddings, as she sang at Loretto and Theresa’s weddings and then walked them down the aisle with Frank. Sheila continued the pleasurable performances by singing at 2 of her grandchildren’s weddings as well.While Sheila and Frank loved Midland and maintained a home here, they retired to Horseshoe Bay, Texas in 1979. Frank passed in 2004. Sheila traveled with Caroline Davis for years. Their travels led them to Turkey, Australia, Scotland, Alaska, New England, Israel, Egypt, Dubai, Jordan, Vietnam, Africa, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, United Enectus, and all of the Bahamas.Sheila was accomplished, well-traveled and interesting.  She lived a full and vibrant life marked by unique experiences.  She was truly remarkable and her stories will live on in our memories.Sheila was preceded in death by her husband Frank L. Thompson, her daughter Barbara Ann Thompson, her sister Barbara Brandstetter, her son in law, Bill Woodruff, and her sister in law, Lieutenant Commander Margaret Thompson, aka Aunt Tommie.She is survived by her children Michael Thompson and wife Alma, Loretto Thoroughman and husband Bill, and Theresa Woodruff; grandchildren Michael Ann Coleman and Troy, Trey and Shea Thompson, Jon Paul and Jenny Thompson, Kathie and Brett Weary, Steven and Katy Thoroughman, Jennifer and Junior Urias, Nickolaus Woodruff, and Barbara Jean and BJ Van Meter; great grandchildren Kali and Brynn Coleman, Callen, Case and Blayke Thompson, Peyton, Parker, and Paxton Thompson, John Hart, Genevieve and Garrett Weary, Frankie Thoroughman, Mackenzie and Quintin Urias, and Bristol Van Meter.The family would like to thank all of Mom’s caregivers from Comfort Keepers Suzette, Maritesse, Maria, Sarah, Kai, Elizabeth, Jessica, Eilda, Dess, Barbs, and Deb and the hospice nurses, Lori and Irma.In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to a charity of your choice. ,