Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Stricken by loss of Thompson

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 | 8:27 a.m.

My first reaction to news of Sandy Thompson's fatal accident on Friday morning was the unanswerable question, "Why?"

Why was this dear person taken from us?

It's a question asked by anyone who has suffered great loss, and there isn't an acceptable answer.

Sandy Thompson, the Las Vegas Sun's associate editor and vice president, was killed in a senseless car crash as she waited in line for a traffic light to change.

Her car was struck from behind with such force it was totally demolished. She didn't have a chance.

It was the second loss within a week for the Las Vegas Sun. We were still in mourning for entertainment columnist Joe Delaney when the fatal crash that took Sandy Thompson's life occurred.

To understand how deeply affected Sun employees and management are, one has to look into the philosophy of the newspaper.

We are family. We care about each other. We share joys and sorrows with everyone from management to staff.

Gary Thompson and daughter Kelly are part of our extended family and we share their grief.

Though just 53, Sandy Thompson packed enough love and caring into her years to keep her memory alive.

I have so many recollections of this exceptional person. We were all introduced to her beloved Kelly when Sandy brought her to the Sun from the time Kelly was a baby.

Sandy adored her daughter and proved it with motherly devotion. She had more than enough love to go around and shared a good marriage with Gary.

Family came first, but Sandy Thompson always found time to help others. She became an outspoken advocate for children, parents and grandparents who were caught in custody battles.

I doubt if anyone will ever know how many people she counseled with great wisdom and compassion.

When Sandy became managing editor of the Sun, she took on the task of reorganizing the editorial department.

As a firm administrator, she had the courage to weed out the weaklings and insist on the highest quality work from her staff.

I admired her boundless energy as she took on a multitude of tasks. I marveled at her dedication and determination to right wrongs.

When health problems forced me to relinquish my duties as director of the Sun Youth Forum, I turned to Sandy with the knowledge that she would carry on with the program.

She did just that, enhancing the project with new ideas.

Finding a replacement as capable as she will be a tough task.

One measures the quality of a life by character, deeds and selflessness.

Sandy Thompson exemplified all that is decent and compassionate in our society.

Even the most eloquent among us have difficulty finding words to express comfort to the bereaved. I cannot even try. Sometimes a simple embrace will say it all.

To leave on a sad and lonely note is not the proper way to say goodbye to Sandy Thompson. Her life was so filled with accomplishments and love, we should remember her with joy and gratitude.

Time and memories eventually ease the anguish of losing a loved one. And, even if the words aren't forthcoming, the knowledge that others share the grief makes parting more bearable.

She will be sorely missed.