Rose Marie Mantell Thomas, who died from Alzheimer&#;s disease in , was the driving force behind St. Jude Children&#;s Hospital alongside her husband Danny Thomas.
| Attribute | Information |
| Full Name | Rose Marie Mantell Thomas (née Cassaniti) |
| Date of Birth | March 6, |
| Died | July 12, (age 86) |
| Place of Birth | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Professional Background | Singer, Radio Host, Philanthropist, Humanitarian |
| Marriage | Danny Thomas (January 15, &#; February 6, , his death) |
| Children | • Marlo Thomas (actress) • Terre Thomas • Tony Thomas (producer) |
Rose Marie Mantell Thomas started her journey in Detroit, Michigan, where she built her own career as a radio singer in the early s.
Born as Rose Marie Cassaniti on March 6, , she hosted her own radio show in Detroit during a time when female radio hosts were rare.
It was during her radio days that she met Danny Thomas, who was working as a struggling young comedian at local Detroit clubs.
The young radio host and aspiring comedian found common ground in their entertainment careers, leading to their marriage on January 15, , marking the beginning of Rose Marie Mantell Thomas&#;s new chapter in life.
Rose Marie Mantell Thomas&#;s marriage to Danny Thomas in started a year partnership that shaped both entertainment and philanthropy.
The couple welcomed three children who each made their mark in Hollywood &#; Marlo Thomas became an award-winning actress, Tony Thomas found success as a producer, and Terre Thomas joined the family&#;s philanthropic efforts.
During Danny&#;s rise to fame in the s television industry, Rose Marie traveled across America with him, balancing family life while supporting his growing career and their shared dream of helping sick children.
Their marriage lasted until Danny Thomas&#;s death in , with Rose Marie continuing their charitable work through St. Jude Children&#;s Hospital for another nine years as his living legacy.
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Rose Marie Mantell Thomas played a key role in turning St. Jude Children&#;s Research Hospital from a dream into reality in
When the hospital first opened its doors, childhood leukemia had a survival rate of less than 5%, but through research and dedication, that number jumped to over 70%.
Working alongside Danny Thomas, she helped create the hospital&#;s core promise &#; no child would ever be turned away because their family could not pay for treatment.
During the hospital&#;s early years, Rose Marie traveled across the United States, hosting fundraisers and spreading awareness about the need for advanced pediatric care that would be available to all families regardless of their financial situation.
She turned her full attention to hospital fundraising, organizing events that became highlights of the Los Angeles social calendar.
Her dedication to raising money for sick children earned her the title &#;Volunteer of the Decade&#; from St. Jude for the years
Through her fundraising dinners and charity events in Los Angeles, she created a lasting tradition that her children would later continue to support the hospital&#;s mission.
The annual fundraising dinners she organized became so successful that they drew support from Hollywood&#;s biggest names, bringing crucial attention and donations to the children&#;s hospital.
Her lifelong dedication earned her the prestigious title of Lady Commander with Star of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre from Pope Paul VI.
Major institutions recognized her work, with awards coming from Mt. Sinai Hospital and Clinic, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and B&#;nai B&#;rith.
Both Los Angeles and Beverly Hills mayors gave her special commendations for bringing together the entertainment community to support children&#;s healthcare.
After battling Alzheimer&#;s disease in her final years, she passed away on July 12, , in Beverly Hills, leaving behind a powerful example of how entertainment industry connections could be used to help those in need.
After Danny Thomas&#;s death in , she kept working for St. Jude despite her growing health challenges.
Her children &#; Marlo, Terre, and Tony &#; stepped in to help continue the fundraising traditions she started as her health began to decline.
Living in Beverly Hills, she faced a difficult battle with Alzheimer&#;s disease during her last years, yet her family worked to protect her legacy of helping sick children.
Her life ended on July 12, , at her Beverly Hills home, but the fundraising system she created continued to support St. Jude Children&#;s Hospital through her family&#;s dedication.
Vyncent Max, an expert in celebrity analysis and the entertainment industry, is based in Miami, Florida. Max earned a degree in Communications from the University of Miami and has been covering the entertainment world since , focusing on the lives and careers of high-profile public figures. He has collaborated with various media outlets, providing insightful commentary on celebrity trends and their cultural impact.