Laura Ruth Thomason's Obituary
Laura Ruth Thomason passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on September 24, 2015 with her family by her side.Born on November 13 (a lucky Friday), 1925, to pioneers who placed their claim to life in sod houses on the hard-scrabble plains of eastern Colorado, where the wind always blows, Laura Ruth (nee Greenwood) Thomason, was of strong fiber that could no longer cling to this Earth. Her mother, Marie Chandler Greenwood, served 29 years as one of the first female Postmistresses, and her father, Harry Greenwood, a rancher and railroad man of considerable dry-wit, had the pleasure of enjoying a strong family household in Stratton, CO. A younger sister, Thelma Greenwood Hutton, and brother, Allen T. Greenwood, preceded Laura in loosening their bond to this physical world.While working as a librarian in Stratton, Laura requested the name of the handsome young man who was checking out a book; he would only identify himself as Robin Hood. Being from the same small town, Laura knew that ‘Robin Hood’ did indeed have a name, and he lovingly shared it with Laura on September 12, 1945 while on leave from the U.S. Navy. Following the war, they started their family in Boulder. They shared their 70th wedding anniversary with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on September 12, 2015.Laura raised a family while regularly being on the move, making warm homes in Boulder, Richland (WA), Los Angeles, San Francisco, McLean (VA), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), and Memphis. An adventurous spirit, she enjoyed world travel, good food, and a fine martini. Rejoicing and enjoying the continuing presence of her strength are her husband, Francis John Thomason (aka ‘Robin Hood’), her children Janet Lynn Thomason Boller (Carl), Carol Lee Thomason Nordtvedt, Donald Brent Thomason (Laura Malinick), and Karla Jean Thomason Gunnoe. She leaves a legacy of 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren for which she was very proud.During her life she always put concerns for the well-being of family and friends ahead of her own needs, so the family is thankful for the wonderful staff of the Village at Germantown, her caregivers Gwen, Barbara, and Evelyn, and everyone for their concern during her times of need. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made by donation to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Pantry or Crossroads Hospice.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”
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