Helen Ladd Thompson, a lifelong resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 23, 2018. The cause of death was complications from ongoing illness and generally declining health. She is survived by her brother, William F. Thompson III, now of Plymouth, Massachusetts, as well as by nine nieces and nephews and numerous grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins. She was recently predeceased by her beloved sister, Frances Lynch of Jacksonville, Florida. Helen Ladd was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 4, 1927 to parents William F. Thompson Jr. and Helen Niaukololani Antoinette Rosa. William Thompson served as clerk of the Federal Court in Honolulu for 45 years. Helen Rosa was the daughter of Judge Anton Rosa, Attorney General for King Kalakaua and also was the great-granddaughter of William Ladd, co-founder of the first commercial sugar plantation in Hawaii at Koloa, Kauai, in 1835. Helen grew up in Honolulu and as a child witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Along with her sister, Frances, she learned hula at an early age, a skill she often used to delight friends and family throughout her life. Helen Ladd graduated from Punahou with the class of 1944. She had a lifelong love of travel and after graduating from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri in 1946, she took an extended trip around the world with a group of friends, a very unusual endeavor for a young woman of that era. Throughout her life she continued to travel extensively, often visiting far-flung friends and family. Her travels slowed only recently, when advanced age and declining health intervened. In 1947 Helen accepted a position at the Alexander & Baldwin Company in Honolulu, temporarily replacing another employee who was on an extended vacation. A&B was well known as a kamaaina company, and Helen always said "I wanted to work at A&B and never applied elsewhere." She soon worked her way into a permanent position, advanced quickly, and eventually become senior secretary in the company's treasurer's department, where she remained until she retired in 1990. She lived her entire life in the Thompson family home established by her parents in Kaimuki. The family would like to offer a special thank you to Kiyoko and Karim Hammani whose caregiving, guidance and friendship made it possible for Helen to spend her final years in her beloved family home. The family is also grateful to the caregivers, who worked diligently to make Helen's last days as comfortable as possible. They are: Mhee Evangelista, Norma Mones, Sai Ako and Sifea Liufau; and also Amy Barroga of Island Hospice. Helen's remains will be cremated, her ashes to be laid to rest in Oahu Cemetary, near her beloved parents. A graveside service is scheduled for August 10, at 10:00 AM.
Helen Ladd Thompson, a lifelong resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 23, 2018. The cause of death was complications from ongoing illness and generally declining health. She is survived by her brother, William F. Thompson III, now of Plymouth, Massachusetts, as well as by nine nieces and nephews and numerous grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins. She was recently predeceased by her beloved sister, Frances Lynch of Jacksonville, Florida. Helen Ladd was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 4, 1927 to parents William F. Thompson Jr. and Helen Niaukololani Antoinette Rosa. William Thompson served as clerk of the Federal Court in Honolulu for 45 years. Helen Rosa was the daughter of Judge Anton Rosa, Attorney General for King Kalakaua and also was the great-granddaughter of William Ladd, co-founder of the first commercial sugar plantation in Hawaii at Koloa, Kauai, in 1835. Helen grew up in Honolulu and as a child witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Along with her sister, Frances, she learned hula at an early age, a skill she often used to delight friends and family throughout her life. Helen Ladd graduated from Punahou with the class of 1944. She had a lifelong love of travel and after graduating from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri in 1946, she took an extended trip around the world with a group of friends, a very unusual endeavor for a young woman of that era. Throughout her life she continued to travel extensively, often visiting far-flung friends and family. Her travels slowed only recently, when advanced age and declining health intervened. In 1947 Helen accepted a position at the Alexander & Baldwin Company in Honolulu, temporarily replacing another employee who was on an extended vacation. A&B was well known as a kamaaina company, and Helen always said "I wanted to work at A&B and never applied elsewhere." She soon worked her way into a permanent position, advanced quickly, and eventually become senior secretary in the company's treasurer's department, where she remained until she retired in 1990. She lived her entire life in the Thompson family home established by her parents in Kaimuki. The family would like to offer a special thank you to Kiyoko and Karim Hammani whose caregiving, guidance and friendship made it possible for Helen to spend her final years in her beloved family home. The family is also grateful to the caregivers, who worked diligently to make Helen's last days as comfortable as possible. They are: Mhee Evangelista, Norma Mones, Sai Ako and Sifea Liufau; and also Amy Barroga of Island Hospice. Helen's remains will be cremated, her ashes to be laid to rest in Oahu Cemetary, near her beloved parents. A graveside service is scheduled for August 10, at 10:00 AM.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
