After the death of their mother life went on quietly at the Thompson house. Alexander Thompson did not remarry, as many men did in those times, but he did have two daughters who were old enough to keep the house. Jennie was 17 and Isabella was 16 in 1878. Jennie must have been very busy keeping the house and looking after the smaller children. In the 1880 census Jennie and Isabella were not employed, but Pantagraph articles indicate that Belle worked in the notions department of Kupfer's Bazaar for several years. She was also active in the Orpheus Club, which was a musical club and along with Jennie, she was active in clubs like the Women's Missionary Society and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavour.
In September of 1889 the Thompson's were happy to announce the marriage of Belle Thompson and Dr. F H McIntosh. They were married at the Thompson's home, surrounded by friends. Of note was the solid silver tea service given to them by Belle's uncle in St. Louis. Dr. McIntosh was a great favorite in Bloomington, where he was President of the YMCA as well as a doctor. Belle's skill as a musician and singer was praised.
This happiness was not to last. In July of 1893 Belle McIntosh became seriously ill from an abscess of the spine. She lingered many days, and after appearing to have died, regained consciousness to report that she had seen heaven only to die two days later. She left behind two little daughters.
The death of Alexander Thompson came suddenly the next March, of a cerebral hemorrhage. Jennie was made his executrix and was bonded for $900. The estate could not have been very large. Although the family had lived at 304 E. Douglas for the past 20 years, the family would live at two other addresses on that street over the next ten years. Just two months before his death, Alexander's older son William had married Ottilia Oswald. Daughter Frances was a student at University High School and would go on to be a teacher.
The remaining brother, Joseph, and his sisters continued to make a home together. In 1900 they still lived together. Jennie had no occupation, but was very active in church work. In 1893 she was on the board of the Chinese Sunday School. The members were teaching a small number of Chinese men to speak English and read the bible. She was private secretary to the pastor of the 2nd Pres Church in the next decade. Sarah taught violin. She had received advanced training in St. Louis at the Beethoven Conservatory in 1884. Katie was a clerk in a dry goods store, and Frances was a school teacher. Joseph, like his brother William was a printer at the Pantagraph.
Alexander had raised a devout, musical family. Isabella, Sarah and Katie played musical instruments, and Isabella and Sarah were much admired performers. Jennie was the most devout of the living siblings and represented her church at conventions many times. The siblings worked to provide for the family, even before Alexander died and kept a home together in adulthood. Mary, Alexander and Isabella were all buried in the Bloomington Cemetery.