In celebration of Glenda’s life, it is her slight amusement and smile that shall remain ineach of our hearts and minds, where her memory will be kept close. Glenda Cathryn

Lewis-Thompson at 63 years of age passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. She was born on May 8, 1960 in Los Angeles, Calif., to Fredrick R. Lewis and Ruth M. Hoodie. Glenda had been baptized Catholic. As she grew up, she attended Catholic school at St. Johns Mission in Laveen, Ariz., schools in Burns, and Chemawa Indian High School in Salem. 

At times throughout the rough sea of life, she was stern, sometimes not, but fond memories of Glenda’s interest was she enjoyed bike riding, she liked to jog and run, and had participated as a track runner at Chemawa. A great hobby, she always enjoyed was working with a lot of colorful beads. She is remembered listening to vinyl records of albums and 45’s on a portable record player with songs sung by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Freddie Fender, including the Native American rock bands Red Bone and XIT. 

Beyond young adulthood, Glenda was a homebody most of her life spending comfortable time with Al, her partner in marriage, along with their friendly pet felines. Both Glenda and Al loved riding bikes together as well. 

Taught by her mother, Glenda had learned how to do bead work. She was eager to make beaded crowns for Pow Wow royalty. She had made many beaded medallions and barrettes, even dancing regalia for her nephew, including wearing her own bead style jewelry. While bead working brought her relaxation, she also spent a surmountable time on cooking & baking that fit her and Al’s life together. Memories of Glenda making herself available for certain dinners, or holidays and birthdays are thought of. Most certainly she would prepare and help out with a side dish, whether it be stews, her special potato salad or frozen pea salad, cakes & cookies, Native frybread or banana bread. Cooking up a storm! for her and Al, even when it was just the two of them are remembrances of what Glenda enjoyed doing most. 

Alike most of us, she was a newborn at one time, and even though as an elder, her physical body had died, yet she slipped back into early life as if to be cradled once again. Our Creator knew she was tired and took her home. In spirit, the impact she had on each of our lives shall remind us to keep her in our memory. 

Glenda is survived by her husband, Al Thompson; brother and sisters, Randall Lewis, Joanne Aspaas, Schemel Lewis, Monica Jackson (Daniel); and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services took place on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the Burns Paiute Gathering Center in Burns, followed by burial at The Old Camp Cemetery. LaFollette’s Chapel of Burns, assisted the family with the funeral arrangements.