Janet Elizabeth Shick Patten Thompson died recently in Cayuga Medical Center of Ithaca after a short illness.  She was born in Philadelphia, the younger daughter of Dr. William and Mrs. Mable Shick. After graduating from Cazenovia College for Women, Mrs. Thompson attended West Virginia University.

Coming to Ithaca following her marriage to Paul Patten, Mrs. Thompson learned the jewelry business from Mr. Patten's father, Bert Patten, watchmaker and owner of Patten's Jewelers. Continuing her involvement and eventual
ownership of the business, she shared her fascination for gemstones with her second husband, Ed(win) Thompson. As well as her business involvement, she contributed to the larger Ithaca community in unselfish and quiet ways.

Mrs. Thompson's generosity, appreciation for people, and love for business is well exemplified by Sir Winston Churchill's words: 

            "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

Mrs. Thompson is survived by her daughter, Judith Patten Poss; granddaughters Karen Stark and Allyson George; great-grandchildren, Caroline, Christopher, Jason and Garrett. In addition, she is survived by her step-daughter, Melody Weisman and husband Richard; grandsons David and Peter; and great-granddaughters, Mia and Sophia.  She also leaves her niece, Gretchen Plotkin and husband Joel; nephews, Hugh Smith and wife Kay, and Bruce Smith and wife Katie.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 315 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca on Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the

 S.P.C.A. of Tompkins County, 1640 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850

or a charity of choice.