Karyn Y. Thomson

Karyn Yost Thomson, beloved wife, mother, and daughter, passed away at age 63 on August 26, 2026, surrounded by family at her childhood home in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

 

 

Karyn was born Karyn Hope Yost in Abington, Pennsylvania on July 19, 1963, the child of George P Yost (preceded in death) and Flora M Yost, and younger sister of Keith P Yost (preceded in death) and Roger A Yost.

 

 

A superlative lacrosse and field hockey player, Karyn collected various honors and achievements at Springfield Township High School (1981) and Lehigh University (1985), culminating in her induction into the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994. Her long list of athletic achievements includes NCAA Division I All American Honors in field hockey and lacrosse, and her acceptance into the United States Women’s lacrosse team. Karyn proudly recounted her time at the U.S. Field Hockey Association’s Olympic Development A Camp in Colorado Springs and just missing selection to the under-21 world-traveling U.S. Team.

 

 

Shortly after graduation, Karyn followed her passion for civic engagement and served on the staff of Congressman Lawrence Coughlin in the 13th District of Pennsylvania for twelve years, both in Washington D.C. and his office in Pennsylvania. During her tenure, Karyn chauffeured President George HW Bush during a visit to Philadelphia and transported the “black box” following the fatal plane crash of Senator John Heinz in 1991. Karyn was also a member of both the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Junior League of Philadelphia.

 

 

Karyn married Mark J Thomson in December of 1991 and raised four sons, George M Thomson, Evan J Thomson, Philip S Thomson, and Reece W Thomson, while partnering with her husband for many years in multiple businesses. She took an active role in her sons’ education, cheering them on at sporting events, recitals, and graduations. Her sons credit her support for their budding careers in law, education, food science, and data science. She imparted a great love for the beach, Christmas, and Philadelphia sports, along with traditions that her husband, sons, and future descendants will enjoy for many years to come.

 

 

Karyn’s love for life and candid sense of humor made her many enduring friends. In the past few months, Karyn was blessed to receive an entire community of classmates, coworkers, neighbors, and friends from many paths at her home. Even as her time on earth drew to a close, Karyn befriended her medical team at Abington Hospital, whom she and her family thank for their kindness and unflinching efforts. Whether one knew Karyn for a moment or for a lifetime, their life has been brightened by the experience.

 

 

Upon reflection, Karyn expressed that she never found it difficult to treat others with kindness. Her father and her brother Keith had modeled that behavior for her as early as she could remember. She now joins her father and brother in the loving arms of Jesus Christ and passes forward a legacy of service and goodwill for the coming generations. Thank you, Mom.

 

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Karyn’s honor to Lehigh University’s Women’s Field Hockey and/or Lacrosse.