Roma Ruby Heaven

Roma Ruby Lawson was born to Henry Lawson and Ruby Turner Lawson in Nowra, NSW, Australia. She grew up in Newcastle with her parents and older sister, Faith. She met her future husband, William S. “Tommy” Thompson, a US Army officer stationed in Newcastle during WWII. They married in 1944, and welcomed a daughter, Dianne Faith in 1945. After the war, Tommy was sent back to The States. The following year Roma and Dianne left Australia by ship and began the two-week voyage to San Francisco. They then travelled another week by train to Baltimore, MD, where they were met by Tommy and his mother, Susie. The last leg of the journey was a ferry ride across the Chesapeake Bay and, finally, arrival in Hillsboro, a small town of less than 200. Roma thrived there, making life-long friends. In 1949 the family grew when baby William Loag Thompson was born in Newport News, VA, where Tommy was stationed. Three years later, the Army moved the family to Mannheim, Germany, where the US military played a major role in the reconstruction of West Germany. Again, lifelong friends were made. In 1963 Roma and Tommy separated and she returned to her homeland. She worked hard to support her family as a single mother, rising from bookkeeper to Office Manager of a minerals and mining conglomerate. Her office had a view overlooking Sydney Harbour. She loved all her jobs over the years. in 1978 Roma married Bruce Heaven, a retired Australian Navy Chief Petty Officer, and became Roma Heaven, a much complimented name. At the age of 80, after Bruce and her parents had passed away, she took a very courageous step and moved back to The States near family in St. Augustine, FL. Roma lived independently for nine years, moved to assisted living and then into long-term care at River Garden in Jacksonville, again making new friends and touching lives. Roma went into the arms of the LORD at Community Hospice on March 8, 2025 She is survived by her sister, Faith; children Dianne (Ron) and Bill (Barbara); nephew Terry (Toni); grandchildren Michael (Megan), Elisabeth (Patrick), Chris A. (Rhea) and Chris L. (Roopam) and great-grandchildren Kylie, Kate, Veera, Leni, Claire, Noori, Lou, Ruby and Lottie. Donations may be made to the River Garden Foundation, https://www.rivergarden.org/river-garden-foundation/, or Community Hospice, https://www.communityhospice.com/.

Roma Ruby Heaven

October 18, 1927 - March 8, 2025