Carole Joy Thompson Fulmer
Carole Joy Thompson Fulmer, 87, of Williamsport passed away, Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Gatehouse.
Born July 24, 1937 in Williamsport, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Dorothy Thompson.
She attended Bartram High School, Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing, and the former Williamsport Area Community College.
She spent thousands of hours volunteering. She taught swimming and many health-related classes. She had forty years of service with the American Red Cross and received their highest honor, The Certificate of Merit for saving the life of a person hit by lightning, signed by then President Johnson. The American Heart Association gave her an award as well. She was honored as an outstanding caregiver also. She had a health-related radio show for several years at North Central Sight Services.
Over the past 70 years she has held many leadership positions within the United Methodist Church, including certified lay speaker, President of United Methodist Women and Sunday School Teacher and chairman of Social Services and a long-time leader of a prayer chain. She was a faithful member of Pine Street United Methodist Church.
She joined the institutional ministry of United Churches and frequently conducted worship services in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities.
She served on the Board of Directors of Northeastern PA Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She also served years as the facilitator of the Alzheimer’s Support Group at Divine Providence Hospital, and helped many on their journey as caregiver. Her attitude was maximize the positive.
She is credited with two books. “Dead Man In My Chair – Alzheimer’s Disease Brings Strange Visitors” and with the Alzheimer’s Support Group wrote “Alzheimer’s, the Thief That Stole My Love.” She loved to write living tributes and encouraged others to tell folks while they are living, their attributes and how much they are appreciated. She was an encourager and shared with many the ways in which to maximize the positives of life. Carole cherished the nightly Yahtzee games she played over the phone with her best friend, Fran, for many years, from 8 to 10 pm.
Surviving are two daughters, Deborah Peterson (Scott), of Williamsport with whom Deb lived for many years and Susan Bloom (Bill) of South Williamsport; three grandchildren, Benjamin Bloom (Valdessa), Melissa Suddath, and Joseph Suddath (Cheyenne), and three great grandchildren, Tyler, Tyreese, and Raphael; a sister, Jane Marjama (Robert), of Oregon; and a niece and nephew.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Daniel Fulmer and a brother, Ralph Thompson.
A funeral service to honor Carole’s life will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 22, at Sanders Mortuary, 821 Diamond Street, Williamsport. Burial will be held in Salem Lutheran Church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at Sanders.
Memorial donations in Carole’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association: Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, 2595 Interstate Dr. Suite 100, Harrisburg PA 17110. Online condolences may be made on Carole’s memorial page at www.SandersMortuary.com.