Rosalee Rae Thompson (nee Fleming)

On September 4th, 2020 Rosalee Rae Thompson, nee Fleming, passed on into heaven after surviving breast cancer for over 40 years. She was in the arms of her devoted husband Stanely Thompson and her children David Thompson (Aigars Placitis) and Raymond Thompson (Julie Poulos).

Always close in her heart and prayers were her grandchildren Payton & Demetria Rae Thompson and Jonass Placitis, sister Sharon Fleming Kniola, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim & Beverly Thompson and Charlie & Sheila Thompson, and an abundance of family and friends all across the nation. Rosalee was preceded in death by her parents Raymond Fleming & Lillian Cyman Fleming, her father-in-law & mother-in-law, Ralph & Jean Thompson, and her sister Kathy Fleming Carr.

Born on January 13th, 1946 in Hammond, Indiana, Rosalee grew up in Calumet City, Illinois, where she graduated from Thornton Fractional North High School. After marrying Stan in 1966 and having her two boys, she pursued her dream of becoming a nurse. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Governors State University in 1976 and her Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2009, of which she was so proud.

To know Rosalee is to know that she was the ultimate caregiver both personally and professionally. A registered nurse for over 40 years, she started her career at St James Hospital in Chicago Heights, Illinois. In 1992, she transferred to St Joseph’s in Memphis, TN, spent several years in Nursing Staff Development and, finally, as the Director of Quality Administration for Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women before retiring in 2017. The friendships she forged during her career brought her such happiness and fulfillment. She was known to lift and mentor others, bringing her northern flair, tenacity and spunk.

Rosalee and Stan were married for 54 for years sharing a lifetime of memories and laughs together. They supported each other always in their careers and passions, but most of all in their relationships with family. They raised their sons in the south suburbs of Chicago surrounded by family. Many a weekend was spent by their pool, on their boat, or watching the Chicago Bears all together with dozens of cousins.

To her children and their families, she was their greatest cheerleader and took such pride in their accomplishments. A rock to her sons she was loving, encouraging, and joyful, yet firm in her resolve with no tolerance for pettiness or drama. Her inner strength was beyond admirable

One of her greatest joys was being a doting “Gramma” actively participating in as many of their sports, musicals, and activities as she could. Amongst the grandchildren’s favorite memories included “Camp Gramma” where they spent 2-3 weeks each summer. Family vacations included hands-on fun be it water skiing, motor snorkeling, parasailing, cave exploring, and card games.

To her family and friends, Rosalee was the first to call when you were in need of anything. She was the first to attentively listen, offer words of comfort, or actions to lessen your load. Her thoughtfulness brought joy to the many as she was the consummate gift-giver. As analytical as she was, she was equally creative, working on DIY projects, designing wreaths, cards, and scrapbooks. Rosalee enjoyed her local friends be it at dinners, girls nights out, golf trips, or parties at the Hernando Hills Golf Club.

She had a zest for life and passion for travel from baseball and cheerleading tournaments to a special gramma/granddaughter cruise, and international trips with her son David and son-in-law Aigars.

May the memories Rosalee created for all of us bring us comfort now and in the future, for she will be forever missed and adored by so many. We will keep a piece of her always in our hearts. She was comforted in her faith and believes to be reunited with her family in heaven.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, September 15, 2020 with a visitation from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Castle Hill Funeral Home: 248 155th Place, Calumet City, Illinois 60409 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church at 12:00 noon. Interment Services will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Rosalee’s wishes were that her friends and family donate to the Baptist Memorial Healthcare Foundation and designate a gift to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Having a first-hand account of the needs of this unit these gifts will provide new equipment, technology, and procedures in newborn and pediatric intensive care units, grief support for children, and other services. 
Website:
www.bmhgiving.org
Mail: 
Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation
350 N. Humphreys Blvd
Memphis, TN 38120
Phone:       
(901)227-7123

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