Dona Rochelle Thomson

June 4, 1935 – October 5, 2026

Dona “Rochelle” Thomson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all, passed away on October 5, 2026, in Provo, Utah at the age of 91. Rochelle leaves behind a legacy defined by boundless generosity, quiet devotion, and an unshakeable love for her Savior. Rochelle was born on June 4, 1935, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Chester and Eleanor Shumway. Being the oldest of 6, she naturally became the dedicated "babysitter" of the family, developing a nurturing spirit that would guide her entire life.

As a young woman working for the telephone company, fate stepped in when she met Si M. Thomson, who frequented her workplace collecting money for his fathers armored car company. A beautiful romance blossomed, and the two were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on March 11, 1955. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised their family on a small farm in Gilbert, Arizona. She balanced a successful career at Motorola, where she worked as a secretary and eventually a purchaser for over 30 years. Yet her true life’s work was her family and her faith. She was a devoted mother to her five children. A lifelong, faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rochelle spent her days striving to serve her Savior. She literally and figuratively shared everything she had. Her door was always open, and her table was always full; she frequently welcomed those in need into her home, providing food, shelter, and unconditional love. She possessed a rare Christlike gift to see the absolute good in everyone she met.

Rochelle’s faith was reflected in her church service. She treasured the years she spent serving in the Gilbert Arizona Temple. She also had a deep love for children, spending many years being a cub scout leader and teaching Primary—the energetic little Sunbeams were always her absolute favorite.

She was passionate about her heritage, she was an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, proudly serving as the historian for several years. She spent countless hours working on family history and genealogy. Among her most cherished memories with her family were the simple joys of life: picking fruit and blackberries, collecting pecans, feeding the farm animals, riding horses and motorcycles and hours of swimming in the pool. She cherished trips to the family cabin in Oak Creek, and road trips into the cool air of the northern mountains.

Rochelle is reunited in eternity with her sweetheart, Si M. Thomson, her parents, Chester and Eleanor Shumway, her brother, Stephen Shumway, and her brothers-in-law Steve Legrady and Chuck Ginsberg as well as many other ancestors.

Her spirit lives on through her children; Greg Thomson, Brian(Tanya) Thomson, Heidi Hamblin, Lisa(Von) Hill, and Tony(Mary) Thomson; her siblings, Jerry (Carol) Shumway, Bonnie Ginsberg, Stanley (Brandy) Shumway, and Sharon Legrady; as well as her beloved extended family, 24 grandchildren, and 46 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held graveside at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 719 North 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009 on Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m.