Doris Thompson
{{Short description|British businessperson}}
{{for|the Australian swimmer|Doris Thompson (swimmer)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Doris Thompson
OBE
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Lilian Doris Bean
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1903|1|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = Great Yarmouth, England, UK
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2004|6|23|1903|1|12|df=yes}}
| death_place = Barnacre, England, UK
| death_cause =
| other_names =
| occupation = Businesswoman
| years_active =
| spouse = Leonard Thompson (1928–1976; his death)
| children = Geoffrey Thompson
Mary Louise Thompson
Carol Jean Thompson
}}
Lilian Doris Thompson {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE|JP}} (née Bean; 12 January 1903 – 23 June 2004)Kenneth Shenton (1 July 2004) [https://web.archive.org/web/20140312214306/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/doris-thompson-6166344.html The Independent: Doris Thompson obituary]. The Independent was a British businesswoman who was the managing director and chairman of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Career highlights
Doris Thompson became a director at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 1929, immediately after the death of her father, whilst her husband, Leonard Thompson became managing director and chairman. Whilst she initially focused on her young family, she gradually, behind the scenes, assisted more and more in the development of the park, especially throughout the 1930s which saw the opening of the Fun House, Grand National and the introduction of the famous ice show.
When Leonard Thompson died in 1976, Doris Thompson succeeded him as chairman of the Pleasure Beach, whilst her son Geoffrey Thompson became managing director. In 1979, she rode the Revolution 360-degree looping coaster, having first had a full medical check-up. Almost 25 years later, she rode her final ride, the Spin Doctor at the age of 99 years.
Education
Doris Thompson was educated locally in Blackpool, and then at Malvern Ladies' College in Worcestershire. In 1928 Doris married Leonard Thompson, "a bright, ambitious, Oxford-educated businessman". He worked for the Swedish Match Company and the couple were content to begin married life in London. However, within 12 months, the death of William Bean while on a Mediterranean cruise threw their plans into disarray. The couple decided to return to Blackpool to try to keep her father's dream alive. While Doris became a director, Leonard became chairman and managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, roles that continued for almost 50 years.
Personal life
Doris Thompson married Leonard Thompson in 1928, at the age of 25. She had three children, Geoffrey, Mary Louise and Carol Jean.
On 15 April 1948, Mary Louise Thompson, Doris and Leonard's elder daughter, died when Pan Am Flight 1-10 crashed while landing in dense fog at Shannon Airport, killing 30 passengers. She was en route to study in America before attending Oxford University.
Death
Doris Thompson died on 23 June 2004 on the day of her late son, Geoffrey Thompson's funeral. She reached the age of 101 and had been appointed an OBE and MBE for her contribution to tourism.
References
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Category:Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Category:People from Great Yarmouth
Category:British women centenarians