Charitable activist Sally Thompson of Cambria dies at age 64

Sally Thompson, 64, died at home early Saturday, Nov. 8, after a long battle with thyroid cancer. She was surrounded by family, including her husband, Michael Thompson (a director of the Cambria Community Services District) and their children, who had gathered from Alaska, Texas, Oregon and Los Angeles. 

Although the Thompsons owned and operated A Matter of Taste in Cambria for 10 years — starting a week after they moved to town in 2002 — Sally Thompson was perhaps best known for her work on behalf of children, her incandescent smile and for her warm, giving, upbeat nature.

She was a very active member of Camp Ocean Pines, the Cambria Education Foundation and the Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion Post No. 432. 

“She was very much supportive of all the local charitable activities,” her husband said.

In the shop, she led various cooking classes and, if customers mentioned they were celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special day, her tradition was to give them a truffle. 

Before becoming a North Coast resident, Sally Thompson had devoted herself to children’s issues and various nonprofits. She was director of MusiCares, the nonprofit arm of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which provides a safety net of critical assistance for music to people in times of need. 

“She was the first director of the children’s commission in Los Angeles,” Michael Thompson said, “and director of the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles.”  

A celebration of Sally Thompson’s life is being planned for December, but details haven’t yet been set. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in her name be given to the Cambria Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1568, Cambria CA 93428.

This story was originally published November 12, 2014 at 1:46 PM with the headline "Charitable activist Sally Thompson of Cambria dies at age 64."