ellyn thompson, dds

In the early hours of January 20, 2024, ellyn walked into the waiting arms of Jesus after battling cancer in Denver, Colorado for the past year.

ellyn was born on February 12, 1983, in Albuquerque, NM, where she spent her growing up years and graduated high school at Albuquerque Academy as a member of her beloved Class of 2001. After high school, ellyn went on to join her cousins at Texas A & M University - Gig 'em Ags! - graduating with a BS in Biomedical Science and a BA in Spanish (enhanced by her study abroad at the Universidad de Sevilla - a dream come true!) Her next educational endeavor took her to Omaha, Nebraska and Creighton University Dental School. After graduating from Creighton, ellyn pursued a GPR (General Practice Residency) at UCSF where she fell in love with "the city by the Bay." She studied and practiced there for four years before being recruited to Denver, Colorado where she practiced dentistry until recently. She loved living near family - Patrick, Tara, and Sloane - and looked forward to her newish role as auntie ellyn.

ellyn lived life to the fullest in her relatively short time on earth. She had an insatiable love of learning and research and was always sharing tidbits of interesting information. She was ready and willing to join you in a hunt for answers to a question or problem. Traveling was another passion of ellyn's. She loved to go almost anywhere with family and friends and was happy to research to discover the "best" an area had to offer - sometimes leading the way! A baseball fan, ellyn visited 20 of the 30 major league ballparks on the family quest PLUS a few other parks on her own. The Cardinals and the Yankees were faves.

Nothing was more dear to ellyn than her relationships with friends and family. She counted on a yearly gathering with her high school girlfriends and never missed a chance to connect with other special friends in her life - you know who you are and that she loved you unconditionally, enjoying every adventure and ready for the next one.

ellyn was a "child whisperer" and loved connecting with her nephews, nieces, and cousins (Sloane, the Zbros, LLR, Naima, Ella...) as well as loving the amazing children of her friends. As often as not, she would be found playing with the Littles (or not so littles 😊) having a grand time. Family was #1 and FOREVER to ellyn and she would do all she could to never miss a gathering. Whether friend or family, you are familiar with ellyn's big warm welcoming smile and fierce hugs - that legacy continues as we pass it on.

ellyn began her relationship with Jesus at an early age and through the years, grew in the grace and knowledge of Him. The verses she claimed as standing stones included: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans for good and not for evil that you may have a future and a hope; Psalm 91:11 He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways; and Hebrews 12:1,2 ...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Kelly and Irene Kirkpatrick, Bob and Jane Thompson, and Jo and Will Irwin; and Auntie Sharon Kirkpatrick Gelnett. Ellyn is survived by her parents, Michael and Kaye Thompson; her brother, Patrick (Tara) and daughter, Sloane Thompson; aunts and uncles, Judy Walton (David), Fred Thompson (Karen), Dave Gelnett, Julie Miller (Steve), and Joy Marvin (Bob), Randy Gins (Ginny), Nancy Bain, Rick Gins, and Joshua Gins (Maggie).  She also leaves behind cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews who meant the world to her, and her beloved friends. ellyn's positive determined attitude, great smile, fierce hugs, and caring friendship will be missed by all of us. Our greatest consolation is that she is in the presence of our resurrected LORD and Savior and we will see her again.

Please join us for a Celebration of ellyn's Life: Saturday, February 24, 2024, 10:00 a.m., at Hoffmantown Church, 8888 Harper Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to Breakaway Ministries, PO Box 9727, College Station, TX 77842 or online at Breakaway.org; The Heights Church Denver, 1477 Columbine St., Denver, CO 80206 or online at theheightsdenver.com; or Children's Medical Center Dallas online at Childrens.com liver transplant.