Vinetta Victoria “Vicki” Mesiano Thompson

October 12, 1935 – July 3, 2020

Vicki Thompson passed away unexpectedly on the evening of July 3 rd due to an aortic aneurism.

The first of Vincent & Etta Mesiano’s three daughters, Vinetta Victoria Mesiano was born and

raised in the New York area. Twin sisters, Lindalee and Merrilee, were welcomed to the family

six and a half years later.

Vicki attended the University of Connecticut, Bridgeport in the field of dental hygiene.

Ultimately, the allure of glamorous air travel beckoned, and she followed her heart becoming a

stewardess with Capital Airlines. Years later, she would regale her family with stories of

meeting well-known names of the time: Hugh Hefner telling her about a men’s magazine he

was launching, a card game with Willie Mays, and a young man by the name of Elvis Presley,

who was sweet and shy, and seemed to be quite popular with so many teenagers!

On one junket from Newark to Greensboro–High Point, NC, she met her future husband,

Edward Dickson Thompson. Ever the flirtatious one, Ed noticed Vicki at the gate counter and

was thrilled to see that she was on the flight crew. He charmed her, got a phone number, and

later called. The reception was icy. Vicki had seen three children lovingly greeting Ed as he

deplaned to visit his hometown. Fortunately, after quickly explaining the children were his

niece and nephews, the date was set. The rest was history and a 61-year marriage ensued.

In 1959, after a formal wedding during a blizzard in New York City, the couple headed west to

the Bay Area settling in Berkeley, where their 2 daughters were born. The family returned to

New York where a son joined the clan. In 1969, the family again traveled west, moving to

Glendale, CA where Ed & Vicki would reside for over 50 years.

When her children were in school in the mid-’70s, Vicki began a career in teaching spending

nearly 37 years working in GUSD elementary schools; she did it all! She started as a volunteer

reading tutor, became a resource specialist, a special education program coordinator, and

retired as an RSP Education Assistant after 20 years at Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School.

Vicki is survived by her husband Ed, her children Tori (John), Marina (Kevin), & Keith (Brenda),

her sisters and her 6 grandchildren, Raleigh, Makenna, Veronica, Carolina, Keira & Luke, who

will forever miss their Marmee.

The immediate family gathered on July 17th for a small chapel service in La Crescenta, CA. The

Reverend Thomas Quijada-Discavage officiated. Family is planning a Celebration of Life for all

family and friends in the coming months when it is safe to do so.

To honor Vicki’s long and beautiful life, the family asks that donations be made to the following

organizations whose missions were close to her heart:

* Donors Choose (DonarsChoose.org) Online donations of your choice to fund classroom

materials and projects for children who need it most - “Support a classroom; build a future.”

See “In Memorium donations” for instructions.

* Special Olympics (sosc.org) Online donations.

* Meals on Wheels Glendale. Note in the memo line “In honor of Vicki Thompson” and send

checks to: Salvation Army - Meals on Wheels Glendale, 320 W. Windsor Rd. Glendale, CA 91204,

Attn: Marlin Galvez

** Please include Ed as the family contact to whom notifications of the donations will be sent:

Edward Thompson

917 N. Louise Street, #316

Glendale, CA 91207