A Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving was held at Elmslie Memorial United Church for the Life of Madeline Eugenie “Rosie” Thompson on Saturday 4^th January 2014.

Madeline, known to her friends and family as “Rosie” was born on 29^th December 1916 and died 29^th December 2013.

The Officiating Minister was Rev. Dave Hazle and the Organist was Zoe Bodden.

The church was packed with mourners and there were many tributes to a lovely lady who was much loved.

Hymns sung included  “There is a Place of Quiet Rest”, “A Wonderful Saviour Is Jesus My Lord” and “Blessed Assurance”. Kimberly Febres gave a musical tribute on behalf of Hospice Care singing “The Old Rugged Cross”.

The following Eulogy on Rosie’s life was read by Pastor John Macmillan.

Eulogy of the late Madeline Eugenie Thompson

The late Madeline Eugenie Thompson, better known as Rosie Thompson and affectionately referred to by her loved ones as “RoRo” was blessed with long, happy and rewarding life that spanned exactly ninety seven years to the very day that she passed on to her heavenly reward.

Born on the 29th December 1916 to the late Captain Eugene Thompson and his beloved wife, Madeline Elvira Thompson (nee Bodden) she was the fourth child and first born of a pair of twins. She and her twin brother the late Wilbur Arlington Thompson, affectionately referred to throughout his life as “Bulla” were blessed at the time of their birth with an older brother, Kingsley Thompson and one sister, Kadie Bodden (nee Thompson).

Ms. Rosie, as she was fondly referred to throughout her lifetime was born with a small cluster of “rosebuds” on her forehead whereupon her beloved mother immediately gave her the name “Rosebud”, a name that would in due course be fondly referred to by her parents, siblings, close friends and relatives as “Rosie” which in later years was later shortened by her beloved nieces and nephews to “RoRo”.

Shortly after the birth of her twins, Ms. Madeline who was left handed, suffered a fall and sustained a broken left arm. Being the proud mother of four young children including her infant twins, Rosie and Bulla together with a husband whose demanding career as a sea captain often times took him to far away places, Ms. Madeline was forced not only to learn to write all over again using her right hand and, in addition she was forced to place reliance on the love and support of her younger sister, Mrs. Florence Bodden who despite being married, willingly assumed the role of a surrogate mother and caregiver to her four precious nieces and nephews which marked the beginning of a warm, loving and close knit relationship with Ms Rosie, her twin brother Bulla and their two very special first cousins, the late Mr. Gaylord Bodden and his lovely sister, Mrs. Ardyth Smith (nee Bodden).

Ms. Rosie had a happy and loving childhood having been raised in the very same spot that she was born and spent the 97’year period leading up to her passing on Sunday, 29th December 2013. She initially attended school at the old school house in Dobson Hall under the tutelage of her first teacher the late Mr. Lyons. She was a God fearing woman. A woman who strived to ensure that she lived a life that she, and all those that loved and respected her could be proud of.

Reflecting on the early years of her upbringing Ms. Rosie would oftentimes be heard to say: “I might have too many manners but it is not that I do not have any. I was taught and indeed taught well by my parents.

Growing up in simpler times, the highlights of her life in those days was travelling with her father, the late Sea Captain, Eugene Thompson on the MN Cimboco back and forth to Jamaica. She was tutored into the art of graciousness by two very outstanding and extremely gracious ladies, the daughters of Commissioner Hugh Hutchings, Josephine, later to become Lady Agar, and the late Dorothy Cundall.

Miss Rosie was an extremely modest, unassuming and gentle woman. Yet she was never reluctant to stand up for what she believed was right. Feeling strongly about the rights of women, she was of the first signatories to the petition that was presented, to secure the right of women to vote for the first time in the Cayman Islands.

Life in those days was unhurried and there was not much a girl could dream of then. Ms. Rosie’s dream focused on the care and welfare of her beloved parents and many nieces and nephews. Sister of Cayman entrepreneur, the late Mr. Norberg Thompson, Ms. Rosie devoted more than four decades of diligent service as the supervisor in the retail sales department of Wholesome Bakery, being known as the epitome of courtesy, charm and cheerfulness.

In 1945 her life would change forever with the birth of her beloved nephew and surrogate son, Capt. Wilbur “George” Thompson (affectionately known to many as “Bing”). The first born child of her twin brother Bulla, George was raised by Ms. Rosie and her then aged parents following the death of his precious mother the late Doris “Do Do” Thompson (nee McTaggart) who died a few hours after his birth.

Words cannot describe the extent of the love that was shared between Ms. Rosie and her precious George throughout

Special nieces, Selma, Bessie and JoEllen and her two children Kelsey and Mark Anthony.

Despite having been blessed with a long and for the greater part, healthy, happy and productive life, Miss Rosie also faced her fair share of grief and sadness throughout the years.

In 1957 she would suffer the loss of her beloved and only sister Kadie. In January 1972, she would be faced with the sad and irreparable loss of her beloved mother and later that same year, and, whilst still grieving the loss of her precious mother, she was once again faced with the loss of her beloved twin brother “Bulla” who passed away at the relatively young age of fifty five.

Again, in November 1987, the joy and happiness that had accompanied the birth of the latest addition to her precious George’s family, little Justin five years earlier, was once again broken with the loss of her beloved sister-in-law, close friend and confidante, the late Helen Annice Thompson. With the passing of Helen, Miss Rosie immediately assumed the role of a mother to her beloved nieces, Bessie and Jo, once again enjoying a warm, close and loving relationship that was cherished and maintained until her passing.

In 1989, Miss Rosie would say goodbye to her eldest brother Kingsley Thompson, Sr. and there are those that will say that she never recovered from the deep sense of loss and sadness that came with the sudden and inexplicable death of her younger brother Capt. Beatty Thompson who was lost at sea in March 2005 followed with the loss of her youngest brother Norberg the following year, in March 2006.

Faced with fading heath and a life that was to a great extent subject to age related limitations, during the latter years of her life Miss Rosie would take much comfort in the regular visits of her special nieces, Selma, Bessie and JoEllen who never failed to let her know just how much she meant to them. The same applied to her special sister-in-law, Mary Thompson who also visited regularly and made sure when she was unable to visit, to call and ask for the phone to be put to her ear.

In the latter part of her life, Miss Rosie also enjoyed and looked forward to visits from her church family, including her Pastor, the Reverend Dave Hazle, Pastor John Macmillan and his loving wife, Janet both of whom came and ministered to her until the very end whilst providing her with the comfort and solace that she looked forward to so very much as her days on this earth came to a close.

On Sunday, 29th December 2013, at 2:30 p.m. Miss Rosie passed away peacefully, surrounded by her beloved nephew and surrogate son George, his wife Karin and their two children, Justin and Britt together with her two beloved nieces, JoEllen and Bessie.

She leaves to mourn her beloved nieces and nephews including Capt. Wilbur “George” Thompson, his wife Karin and their children, Jeannine, Greyson, Justin and Brittany.

Special cousin, Mrs. Ardyth Smith, special sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary Thompson, caregiver, Sonia Simpson, special friends, Ms. Theoline “Tit Tit” Wellington and Ms. Geava General.

A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

May her soul rest in peace and God’s perpetual light shine upon her forever.