Candace 'Candi' Lynn Thompson has been promoted to the Heavenly Handbell Choir and Organ playing team. It is Heaven's gain and our loss. Candi died Saturday, December 2, 2023 at her home in Oberlin, Ohio. She was born August 19, 1955 at St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain, Ohio, the daughter of Harry Lester Thompson and Ruth Ellen MacDonald Thompson.

Candi graduated from Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, Ohio. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kent State University with a BA in organ and church music. She received doctorates in church ministry and sacred music from Vanderbilt University. She later attended Baldwin Wallace University and passed the CPA exam. Candi served as a United Methodist Church Pastor, then she directed, sang in, and accompanied (not simultaneously, although it sometimes seemed that way) many church choirs. She also formed, rang in and directed handbell choirs. She was the email prayer chain coordinator at the time of her death.

Candi volunteered as the coordinator for CARE, assisting persons in Lorain County to find desperately needed commodities. She was a longtime member of Solid Rock Community Church in Elyria, Ohio.

Candi loved her dogs, chocolate, the color purple and giving gifts. There were several times in her life that Candi was in dire straits, desperately in need. God sent help from unfathomable places to assist her. Candi tried to do the same to help others.

Candi is preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Harry Thompson.

She is survived by five siblings and their significant others; children, Dennis Thompson of North Ridgeville, Patrick Thompson of Florida, Gary Thompson of Lorain County, Dr. Kathleen Thompson Talbot of Wellington, Elizabeth Thompson MacKenzie of Weston, Massachusetts; her tiny yipping puppy, Ginger; and her steadfast friends, Becky, Carol and Erin.

A Celebration of Coronation will be held Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 2 p.m. in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon, Ohio, presided over by Pastor Kevin. There is no dress code for the celebration, black is not required and purple is encouraged. After the brief service, all are welcome, Dutch treat, at Perkins Pancake House, Avon, Ohio.