Marjorie Thompson

Behind every great project is a person, or group of people, who help make it successful. For the Cape River Heritage Museum one of those individuals was Marjorie Thompson.

Thompson, 86, passed away last week after her battle with cancer, but she will be remembered for years to come thanks in part to her 25 years of volunteering with the museum, her service on its board of directors from 1999 to 2008 and as president of the board.

One of Thompson's other great accomplishments was preserving the historic Longview house built by her great-grandfather Col. George C. Thilenius in 1870 on Whitener Street. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"She really did a beautiful job with the museum," said Thompson friend and museum board member Bonnie Stepenoff. "She organized the exhibits and a lot of times she would bring items from her house, which was one of the best preserved historical homes in the area."

Cape Girardeau and the Cape River Heritage Museum are all the better for Marjorie Thompson's dedication and willingness to serve.