ENGLEWOOD — JoAnn Thompson (16th), the "dynamic, tough as nails" alderman who died last week of heart failure at 58, was laid to rest Monday.
The service held at Freedom Temple Church of God in Christ was a celebration with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and fellow aldermen paying tribute to Thompson's service to Englewood and Chicago.
Emanuel recalled Thompson's enthusiasm and her commitment to Englewood.
"Jo was tough as nails, she had a steel spine," Emanuel said. "Her toughness went hand and hand with her tenderness."
Emanuel said she was a huge reason Whole Foods is coming to the neighborhood.
"I know when we cut the ribbon at the Whole Foods in Englewood, there will be a palpable feeling that something is missing, that it's incomplete without the person that did so much."
"Without her none of it would have been possible; because of her anything now seems possible for Englewood. We know we have more work to do but we know we could do it. Jo showed us the way," Emanuel said.
Ald. Edward Burke (14th) said the city lost one of its true champions, describing Thompson as a generous, compassionate person who used her experience as a correctional officer to "advocate for those down on their luck."
"Never will [we] forget her [kindness], her superior intellect, and her love for her neighborhood," Burke said.
Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) called her friend a "dynamic" presence in the city "who would tell you what she meant, and she meant what she said."
"She is certainly going to be missed," Mitts said.
Ald. Carrie Austin (34th) cherished Thompson's reliability.
"[Thompson] was someone who was around to pick up the slack; she was always around when you needed her," Austin said.
"It's a tough time; our hearts are broken," Austin said.
Pastor Antonio Love, from the Heart of Church Ministries, echoed the sentiments of Thompson's colleagues.
"She labored [for this community] until she had no more breath." Love said. "We are here to celebrate her legacy. She stood on her two feet, now let's stand up on our feet for her. Whether you liked her or not, you have to respect her."
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