Elaine Audrey Thomson

Elaine Thomson, 82 years young went to the house of the lord on August 5, 2022. She was born October 2, 1939 in Austin, Manitoba, Canada. Elaine is predeceased by her parents Iverna and Melvin Thomson and brother Glen Thomson.

Elaine is survived by her husband of 39 years Roddey Keith and Nephews Don and Garth Thomson, Greg Keith, Keith Mitchell and nieces Cheryl (Thomson) Danis, Cynthia Mitchell and Brindley (Mitchell) Wheeler.

Elaine grew up in the Austin area and upon graduating from secondary school she moved to Winnipeg to begin her lifelong journey in Nursing. She received a degree in nursing from the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital and the pursued her interest in surgery at the children’s hospital. In 1961, Elaine moved to Kansas City, Missouri to work at the Children’s Hospital. It was one of the few Children’s Hospitals in the United States. It was at this time she gained a deep passion for surgery and especially in the area of Cardiovascular Surgery.

Her dreams and ambitions drew her to the Methodist Hospital in, Houston Texas. She became manager of the Cardiovascular Center where she had the opportunity to work with Dr, Michael DeBakey. Her Leadership and organizational skills were invaluable in the areas of Ophthalmology and E.N.T operating rooms.

Elaine was a very astute leader both with the people she worked with as well as financially. She had the ability to identify the appropriate skill set for working closely with physicians, staff and all personnel for best patient outcomes in areas that she managed. She always explored possibilities, networked and carefully thought through actions and innovations.

Elaine always found time to keep a high level of visibility and commitment to perioperative nursing through involvement in the Association of Perioperative Nurses (AORN) both locally and nationally. She became credentialled as a Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR), as a prestigious way to recognize her excellence in practice. She served as AORN President, Board member and Committee member for several years and received numerous awards and recognition. She was honored as an outstanding leader by the Federation of Houston Professional Women and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Houston for Meritorious Service to the Community in 1982.

On the national level, Elaine was a member of the National AORN as a member of the Board of Directors from 1984-1986 and received the prestigious “Award Excellence” in 1989. She served on numerous national committees and task forces. Elaine was the AORN Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations representative on the 1988-1992 PTAC (Professional and Technical Advisory Committee).

Elaine had a reputation for encouraging young people to love nursing and make it their lifelong passion, as was hers. She bubbled with energy and made nursing fun and memorable. There was much laughter with Elaine and her footprints will always be present, leading, and guiding others to perform at their highest level and take care of their patient with safety, dignity and respect.

Away from the hospital Elaine had a spirit that was second to no one. She began to fly when she was in Kansas City and later would take up sailing with her husband on their boat in Houston. They sailed across the Gulf of Mexico and chartered boats in the Caribbean while on vacation.

In 1995, Elaine returned to children’s nursing and took a position with Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi. She sailed her boat to Corpus Christi and lived aboard for 6 months. She soon purchased a condominium with a beautiful view of the beach and gulf.

After 3 years on the beach at Corpus Christi, Houston was calling again and she began working at Christus St. John Hospital at Nassau Bay, Texas. Elaine managed the Operating Rooms while at Christus St. Johns. The hospital was near the water and a short drive to Lakewood Yacht Club which Elaine and Roddey had been members since 1990.

Retirement came in 2006 but 6 months later she was back in the nursing field but this time as a Consultant and Marketer which led to extensive travel across America.

In 2011 she finally had her last retirement. Elaine and Roddey travelled often, and she became heavily involved with the Ladies Association at the Yacht Club. This new found time afforded occasional trips to many cities. The last being a wonderful trip to Washington, D.C. Roddey met up with her and they visited Mount Vernon together.

Elaine’s life was never slow. Stories of endeavors and success in the hospital, flying planes, sailing or travelling adventures kept all of us amazed and always laughing.

She will never be forgotten by all of those who had the chance to be with her.

18 comments

  1. She was such an accomplished and intelligent lady. It was a privilege to have known someone so special during her last few precious days. Her husband’s esteem for her is perhaps the best measure of what an inspiring and impressive lady Elaine was.

    Eva Miller
  2. Elaine was a true friend and accomplished leader. She stood behind those who were needing support and gave ongoing encouragement. She loved nursing and guided and motivated new perioperative nurses to make it their lifelong passion, as was hers. She bubbled with energy and made life fun and memorable. There was much laughter with Elaine and her footprints will always be present. It was a privilege to know her for many long years. My condolences to Rod, her husband, who was consistently by her side, and to all her family. 8/9/2022

    Pat Hercules
  3. Elaine was funny bright and had an infectious personality. I had the privilege of knowing her throughout her nursing career in Houston. We shared some legislative endeavors and AORN challenges together. She was always there for anyone with great Passion with whatever she did. She leaves us a wonderful legacy and one we can certainly passion our own lives after. She will be sorely missed. Rest in peace my sweet lady. Hugs and much love to you and all of your family.

    Joanne Oliver-Coleman
  4. Elaine was a mentor to many. She will be missed for her adventurous nature, her passion and brilliance for perioperative nursing, and her magnetic personality that forever attracted others to her. Her legacy of appreciation for life, nursing, and AORN will live on forever. My heart aches as I send my energy and support to Rod and Elaine’s family. Her strength of purpose will live on in all of us who knew her. RIP, my dear friend. Kay Ball

    Kay Ball, PhD, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, FAAN
  5. I first met Elaine in the mid 70s at an AORN Chapter meeting in Ann Arbor, MI. When I came to Methodist in Houston in 1985 I was by then an experienced OR nurse and only wanted to work in ENT. They took me to meet the Supervisor and we both neatly fainted. It was Elaine. I was hired on the spot and we stayed friends for many years. She was the one I wanted for my induction when our AORN Chapter elected me President and she helped guide my career for many years. We stayed in touch after I retired, but times moves on and I hadn’t heard from her. I regret not knowing she was ill as I would had love to shares laughs and wonderful memories. Rest In Peace my dear friend. Fly with the angels! Jeff joins me in sending love to the family.

    Ann (Jeffrey) McKennis
  6. Elaine was a wonderful friend so much fun and so energetic. One of my fondest memories was tubing in Colorado. We worked together at Methodist Hospital in Houston. She loved the water and boating and was always fun to be around. She will be missed and remembered with dearest of thoughts.

    Judy Pfister
  7. Elaine was such an inspiration to me when I started working in the OR at TMH. As a fellow Canadian her passion for perioperative nursing & AORN we’re infectious. Condolences to Rod & family. Elaine will be missed.💕🙏

    Susan White
  8. Elaine was an inspirational leader and nurse. Her beautiful smile, laugh and kind heart will will be missed by countless people whose life she touched. May God surround and comfort her family during this difficult time. Rest in peace lovely lady.

    Ruth Shumaker
  9. I met Elaine thru The Greater Houston AORN and she became my boss at the Neurosensory Center when I was hired as the Educator. We shared an office. She encouraged and challenged me. She was a friend and mentor even when I moved to Austin. PeriOperative nursing was fortunate to have her!

    Kate (Canada-Koerner)Lindsay
  10. Elaine was a wonderful colleague, coworker and most of all my friend. I learned so much from her and because I grew professionally and personally.
    Oh the memories I have of all we shared.
    I will miss her—
    Jane Shinn

    Jane Shinn
  11. Elaine was my friend and a bright shinning star to those of us that had the opportunity to interact with her through the years. She was a mentor to her nursing and medical staff, and to those of us in the medical sales arena. When I was a young sales representative, she allowed me to work with and learn from her nursing and medical staff. Those incredible experiences set the stage for my business and personal life. I will sincerely miss her. She leaves an everlasting footprint with her family and friends.
    My condolences to Rod and the family.

    Art Klebba
  12. I met Elaine at an AORN Congress many years ago. She was an amazing leader of AORN and perioperative nurses. Elaine was inspiration to me always offering a smile and kind word of encouragement. She will be remembered and missed by all who knew her. Condolences to Rod and her family.

    Nathalie Walker

    Nathalie Walker, RN
  13. Elaine was my manager and mentor when I was a young OR nurse at Houston Methodist. She demonstrated what professionalism in nursing looked like and fostered it in all her staff. Eline introduced me to AORN and encouraged me to become involved. I can never thank her enough for the impact she had on my future career.
    My regards to Rod and her entire family.

    Ginny Baird
  14. Rod, you are in my heart and prayers as you go through these days, and the weeks and months to come. I treasure the memories of Christmas gatherings with you and Elaine and our group. One thing that Elaine taught me was to put potato chips on a sandwich for that extra crunch. Elaine brought to perfection the ability to be a very astute manager in various roles in PeriOperative nursing. I will miss this dedicated colleague.

    Pat Moura
  15. Elaine and I started nursing school together in 1957. We graduated together after three years of training at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. We became great friends, sharing lots of laughs and making memories. Elaine kept in touch over the years and was instrumental in planning a successful reunion in Galveston.
    My sincere condolences to you Rod. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

    Joyce McCurdy
  16. There is no doubt that Elaine is the star of the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital school of nursing..1960. Her career is so impressive and we have always enjoyed her stories at our reunions. R I P my dear friend.

    Sharon. Torgerson
  17. Winnipeg Children’s Hospital was the foundation Elaine built her amazing career from.
    As a classmate and friend I am saddened by the loss of Elaine and send heartfelt condolence to Rod.

    Joan Shewfelt
  18. I too had fond memories of Elaine from The Methodist Hospital. She had time for everyone, was always gracious and absolutely a nurse to the core. We were all a special group there bonded forever no matter how far or longtime separated. i am sad to hear of her loss and will remember as a special friend and an inspiration in my career.

    Audrey Fisk

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