Leona Christine Thompson
June 20, 1934 - April 22, 2010
Obituary
Leona Christine “Chris” Thompson was born on June 20, 1934, in Kalispell, Montana, the youngest of five daughters and four sons of the late John W. and Clemmie E. Thompson. She departed this life at the age of 75, on April 22, 2010 in Seattle, WA.
Chris was raised in a little white house on 3rd Avenue W. in Kalispell, Montana. She attended elementary school, middle school and Flathead High School. She then went on to continue her education at St. Patrick’s School of Nursing, St. Patrick’s Hospital, Missoula, Montana. There she earned a Diploma in Nursing in 1955.
Chris, her sister Liz, and niece Raella also graduates of the same nursing program banned together and took the trek across the mountains to make their new home on 19th Avenue East in Seattle, Washington. They began working at Providence Hospital in 1957. Chris’ fine education and developing skills as a registered nurse propelled her up the ranks to become a nursing administrator and exemplary leader in the field. She was affectionately known as “Tommy” Thompson by her colleagues and the physician staff. She practiced with great passion until she retired from Providence Hospital in 1988.
Chris went about life in a very purposeful way. She had a tenacious spirit and was extremely dedicated to her family. Though she never married and had no children of her own she had a very large extended family. She cared for her mother during a long illness until she went home to be with the Lord in 1994. Over the years she has cared for many of her sisters, brothers, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbors and friends. If you were blessed enough to know Chris you knew you could count on her support.
Chris also brought her passion into her work as a community activist. Up until the time of her sudden illness, she was working with members of the community and local law makers on helping to preserve the integrity of the original neighborhood in which she lived.
She was preceded in death by her parents John W. and Clemmie E. Thompson. Siblings preceding her in death are Charles, Harry, Laura, Catherine, Howard, Alice and Charles.
Survivors include brother Willard H. Thompson of Renton, WA and sister Elizabeth Charles Arnold, Seattle, WA. She is also survived by sister-in-law Gloria Thompson, Seattle, WA, niece Raella Rudolph Rhoades, Baltimore, MD, nephew Dolphus E. McCullough, Seattle, WA, nephew William “Shorty” Jean Stockard, Black River, NY, nephew Roger Gibbs, Spokane, WA, niece Cora Gibbs, Spokane, WA, niece Deborah Sidney Smith, Columbia, MD, nephew John Edwina K. Arnold, Des Moines, WA, niece Vickie Bell, Spokane, WA, niece Nancy Hilman, Renton, WA, nephew Michael Michelle Gibbs, Spokane, WA, and many other great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 4th, from 9:00 am – 12:15 pm; a Celebration of her Life will be held at 12:30 pm at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial Chapel, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA. 206 242-1787.
Aunt Chris, you will be dearly missed. I love you.
Your Great Neice,
Dedee
Oh my goodness! I only met Chris once in Md. at Realla’s and at that time I was Honored to in the presence of my Grandpa Charlie’s youngest sister. What sorrow you all that knew her well are feeling, for I too feel loss. Hoping to meet you all in the future, as time is so precious and fleeting. Please contact me. Remember, it’s never “good-bye”, it’s “I’ll see you later”, because love never goes away! Peace and love to you, my family. My thoughts are with you all.
I very much appreciated Chris’s passion for the Othello neighborhood, and enjoyed working with her on local issues. She will be missed.
I used to live two houses down from her neice and nephew, Debbie and John. I met Chris during one of her visits with Debbie’s grandma and over the years came to call her aunt Chris as well. The first time I met her, I have to say she scared me but over the years I had grown to love her like my family. I am glad I had the opportunity to laugh and talk with her before she passed and of course it was talking about medicine. I will always have nothing but fond memories of “aunt Chris” as she was a force of nature to know and love.
We were neighbors of Chris for forty plus years, we will miss her
wonderful smile. She was a beautiful person, I always admired the fact that she took great care of her mother before she passed she was dedicated to making sure that she was taken care of making sure that she was getting the best of care.
After her mother’s death she was a dedicated community leader, helping
out in any way she could. She would
walk over to the park and stop and
chat for awhile, I will truly miss
Chris. I have fond memories of her,
keep your precious memories close in heart to comfort you. May God gives you the strength to endure these difficult days ahead.
To Christine’s family & friends,
May you be comforted by your memories. I knew Christine in the last few years through the Othello Neighborhood Association and all our work to keep the neighborhood a liveable place. I appreciated her observations and willingness to express her opinion, popular or not. I miss her. Blessings to all who knew her. Nancy Wagner
To the family of “Christine” My prayers are with you, May God give you strength and comfort during this time
Our condolences to the Thompson Family. I hope your memories of Chris will be of comfort to your family as you go through this difficult time.
God Bless.
Gwen Waterhouse and Family
I met Tommie when she hired me at providence in 1981.I was the director of the OB dept. She was my boss. We became good friends over the years. She was a great boss. She always knew what to to and when to do it. She was a wonderful mentor. After I left PMC in 1988 and had other positions as director of other OB depts.When difficult times came I always ask myself…what would Tommie do? It got me though every time.She was strong and very good at her job. A role model for all the staff. Our friendship lasted though lots of tough times.I was going to take her to one of my favorite casinos this year in Oregon. So the next time I go I will take her in my heart,she would have loved it there. We would have had lots of fun,she could be so funny.I loved and respected her…..I will miss you my friend……….Lee Stahl RN
I grew up across the street from the Thompson family so I had the pleasure of knowing Chris almost my entire life. I spent lots of time over her house with her nephew John who was one of my best childhood friends.
Chris and her sweet mother made all the kids from the neighborhood feel welcome in their home and would feed anyone who walked through the door. Chris was very industrious and committed to her career at the hospital. When it would snow overnight in Seattle, most neighbors stayed indoors or started their commute late. Chris, however, was always the first person to brave the adverse weather and leave her tire tracks in the snow. She also liked cars almost as much as me, and we would spend lots of time discussing the latest models and automotive technology.
I’ll miss her for many reasons, but I have lots of great memories of Chris Thompson.
– Tony Trigg