A large crowd gathered at Patten Chapel on Tuesday, March 6, to celebrate the life of Dr. Carolyn Thompson, wife and partner of Chancellor Roger Brown.<\/p>\n
One of the attendees at the service observed, \u201cIf you didn\u2019t know Carolyn before the service, you did by the end of it. Everyone who spoke knew the same wonderful woman.\u201d<\/p>\n
Music was provided by Dr. Roland Carter and the UTC Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Kevin Ford.<\/p>\n
Since her death, friends and associates have offered their remembrances of Thompson.<\/p>\n
Susan Elliot Rich, President of the Board, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association said Thompson epitomized \u201cvim, vigor and vivaciousness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rich called Thompson \u201ca champion of the CSO, as she was for other non-profits.\u00a0 Carolyn helped move the CSO forward with her leadership and strategic vision.\u00a0 She was a precious person.\u00a0 The CSO and I were very lucky to have her as a devoted, fun friend!\u201d<\/p>\n
James Hobson, President and CEO, Memorial Health Care System, said during Thompson\u2019s four-year tenure on Memorial\u2019s Board of Directors she provided exceptional leadership, insight and knowledge during a time of transformational change in the delivery of health care in our community.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was pivotal in ensuring the patient was at the center of all our decisions, and deeply committed to advancing medicine to the highest quality in the Chattanooga region. We are fortunate to count Carolyn among Memorial advocates; and will deeply miss her. We are comforted knowing that she is now safely in God\u2019s embrace and her legacy will live on for generations to come,\u201d Hobson said.<\/p>\n
BettyLynn Smith, Executive Director, Community Impact, said Thompson \u201cembraced the Chattanooga community upon her arrival and showered it with her wit, intellect and civic service.\u00a0Through her\u00a0many valuable contributions as a board member of several\u00a0organizations,\u00a0she\u00a0left an indelible mark on Chattanooga\u2019s non-profit landscape.\u00a0Carolyn was also a true friend\u2014devoted, loyal and loving.\u00a0 She could light up a room with her presence and\u00a0her sense of humor.\u00a0Her joie de\u00a0vivre has been a special gift to her friends\u2014especially the Brunch Bunch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ruth Holmberg, Publisher Emerita of The Chattanooga Times<\/em>, called Thompson \u201ca breath of fresh air. She spoke her mind, sometimes so forcefully that she made you catch your breath. Often she spoke what others only thought but sat in silence. She did not suffer fools gladly. Her views were cogent and right to the point. She was an ideal board member; she did her homework, paid her dues and participated in the discussion. Carolyn was funny. She made you laugh out loud. With her active mind in her energetic body, she was a welcome presence in any gathering. She had more friends even than she knew because of her magnetic personality. She was a warm and giving friend. To know her was to love her. Having known her was a gift. We weep now and will miss her always. But, Carolyn, we will remember you always and as we do, we will laugh out loud.\u201d<\/p>\n Donations can be made in Dr. Carolyn Thompson’s name to any of the following:<\/p>\n