The Heart of Community: The Lasting Legacy of Jean Thomas

How do we measure the true success of our time on this earth? Is it by the things we possess, or the places that we go? Perhaps it is the impact of our legacy⁠—leaving things better than we found them. For Jean Thomas, a life of entrepreneurship, dedication to the sciences, and supporting her community were the building blocks for a legacy that would forever change healthcare right here in Kankakee County.

Jean first took an interest in chemistry as a child. She attended the University of Wisconsin, then began a successful career in the world of science and business. Together with her friend and business partner Trudy Dickenson, Jean oversaw the organization of a Kankakee County biochemical firm called Pentex, which started in a garage. This firm still exists today, and after several name changes is currently known as MilliporeSigma.

Beyond the professional success Jean saw as a businesswoman, she demonstrated an equally profound personal investment in the community. Jean was active in her church and several other local organizations. However, one of Jean’s most significant impacts in our community was right here at Riverside Healthcare.

Jean was appointed to the Board of the Riverside Healthcare Foundation, and during her tenure, she chaired the annual Samaritan campaign committee, where she was known for reminding everyone that “if you don’t ask, you don’t get.” Jean’s philanthropic attitude made her the perfect chair for this important committee that helps support advancements in local healthcare through Riverside Healthcare.

In 2017, the Riverside Healthcare Foundation launched its Lead with Your Heart Campaign. This campaign sought to raise $2.5 million for the Riverside Heart and Vascular Institute through advanced technology, innovative procedures, and continued education for clinical staff—but the goal was surpassed with a total of $3.4 million raised by the community.

The lead gift of this campaign came from none other than Jean Thomas herself—but how she made this gift was just as extraordinary as she was. Jean had been through Riverside’s complimentary estate planning services and was educated on how to arrange a will, as well as how our estates can benefit non-profit causes once we’ve passed.

A firm believer in education and lifelong learning—one of the three pillars of the heart campaign—Jean made the decision to designate a portion of her estate to the Lead with Your Heart Campaign. This lead gift will forever impact future heart patients right here in the communities Riverside serves, even years after she has passed. When people think of heart care, they will remember Jean Thomas and the legacy of dedication, hard work, and love for community she left behind.

Often, the full extent of one’s own impact is never realized; instead, it lives on—even grows—far beyond our earthly years. Meeting with a professional about estate planning is a way to ensure that the things we hold dear are in good hands and will endure long after death. Jean’s gift will serve as a reminder to all of us that leaving a legacy isn’t always about what we do in the present, but what we leave behind for the future.

Are you looking to plan your legacy gifts or include Riverside Healthcare Foundation in your estate? Our estate planning experts at Riverside Healthcare Foundation are here to help you. Whether you need guidance on updating your estate plan or want to learn more about planned giving options, we have the knowledge and resources to assist you. Contact Ann Offermann at AOffermann@rhc.net or (815) 933-7799 to start planning today.