Margaret Thompson

Margaret “Margot” Thompson passed away on December 05, 2023 at the age of 88 in Aurora,

 Colorado. She was born in Massachusetts on December 17, 1934 and grew up in North Adams, Massachusetts. As an only child, Margot and her parents, Robert and Margaret Thompson were a close family and enjoyed skiing in Vermont and sailing in the summer at Cape Cod. She attended Colby College and graduated from physical therapy school at Tufts University in Boston. After graduation, Margot moved to Colorado to begin her career as a pediatric physical therapist but returned often to “the Cape” to sail and visit friends.

 Margot’s professional career began as a physical therapist at Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Margot helped develop a ski program at the Arapahoe Basin for children with disabilities. The program later moved to Winter Park, where it remains today. Margot spent many years volunteering as a ski instructor with the program on weekends and was a founding member of Friends of Children’s Hospital Sports Program. Margot was an early supporter of the development of the Paralympic Games. To bring her closer to the mountains she loved, Margot bought a second home in Winter Park, where she remained an active member of the community for many years.

 Margot left employment at Children’s Hospital in the late 60’s to work for the Colorado Handicapped Children’s Program. She was the Physical Therapy Consultant for the program and traveled all over Colorado attending Orthopedic and Developmental clinics for children with special needs and complex medical issues. In that position, Margot assisted families and public health nurses in identifying and accessing rehabilitative equipment such as wheelchair and braces and physical therapy services and  was instrumental in initiating a school scoliosis screening program in 1974.

 Following her retirement Margot maintained a very active life style continuing to ski and sail for many years. She had many friends in Denver and the mountains, as well as, many old friends from the east coast. She loved to entertain and did so frequently. She was an avid gardener and her home and yard in Denver were the site of many wonderful dinners and parties. Margot became a Master Gardener shortly after retirement and was active with the program’s Marion Street Gardening for Senors and the Colorado Master Gardener’s booth at the Cherry Creek Farmer’s Market.

 Traveling was one of her passions and she took many trips all over the world. Margot was an only child but maintained lifelong contact with her family, especially her aunt Barbara Kennedy and Barbara’s three sons, Tim, Jim and Doug. She will be missed by her many friends but leaves all of them with wonderful memories of her.

 Donations in Margot’s memory can be made to the Children’s Hospital ARCH (Formerly the Handicapped Sports Program) (attention Chris Moores, Children’s Hospital Colorado B285, 13123 E. 16^th Avenue, Aurora, CO. 80045) or the Denver Botanic Gardens at https://www.botanicgardens.org/tribute-memorial-gifts