Mary Thomson Champagne

Durham - Mary Thomson Champagne, age 79, died at her home on December 14 surrounded by her loving children. She was the second of seven children born to the late John and Marge Thomson in Ottawa Illinois.

Mary graduated from San Jose State University in 1968. She then embarked on an adventure to Lashkar Gar, Afghanistan as a Peace Corp Volunteer, where she taught, co-directed and later directed the Lashkar Gar School of Nursing. She lived with people in poverty. She learned about core values of humanity -she learned about Islam and the notion that many religions are worthy.

Following her return to the U.S., Mary worked as an ICU and Emergency Department nurse. She moved to Texas, where all three children were born. During this time, Mary decided to pursue her education and earned her MSN and PhD in Nursing from the University of Texas.

Mary had an impact as leader in nursing. She was the Baccalaureate Chair at the University of Nebraska, School of Nursing, and the Chair of Adult and Geriatric Health, at the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Perhaps her greatest impact as a leader was at the Duke University School of Nursing where she served as Dean from 1991-2004.

In 1991, Mary went to the Duke University School of Nursing as Dean. As Dean, Mary’s future-focused mindset resulted in the School’s evolution into a national leader in nursing education. With colleagues in nursing and medicine she revived the school and made it an integral part of the Medical Center and University. The school grew, giving more opportunities for nurses to increase their education, including those from rural North Carolina, developing more majors for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and an accelerated bachelor in nursing program. With faculty colleagues, she laid the foundation for the doctoral program in nursing. She always focused on improving the health of people.

Mary served not only the School of Nursing community but also the broader Duke/Durham community through service on a number of boards including the Durham Hospital Corporation and the Center for Child and Family Health.

Mary was a co-editor of five books and author of many journal articles. She was the recipient of many prestigious awards – too many to name here.

But if you would have asked Mary what was her greatest accomplishment – or greatest love was, she would not hesitate. She loved her children and grandchildren to the moon and back. Tamim John and his wife Heather, and children Zach and Caroline, Margaret Rose and her husband Neil and child Bridie, Chris and his wife Alicia and children Sophia Rose, Desmond and Morrison. They were her greatest love and source of happiness.

Mary also had extended family that were her great love and comfort. Sisters who were always there, —Joani (Jim), Jeanne (Joe), and Heather (Steve), as well as her three brothers – Jack (Paula), Bill (Jennie), and Steve (Judy). She is survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews. Mary had a great friend who helped her spiritually and in everyday life - Sister Rose Casey, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. Sister Rose was always there for the grandkids, helped Mary learn how to pray – and for God’s sake – instructed her to keep the kitchen clean!

Mary loved Duke basketball and all Duke sports, fishing, and all things Caribbean. For over twenty years she made an annual trek to her beloved St. John in the USVI where she snorkeled for hours and enjoyed a rum punch at the end of the day. She valued kindness, generosity, laughter and was a political liberal junky.

A memorial mass for Mary will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Durham on January 16, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

To honor Mary, donations may be made to the Duke University School of Nursing Student Scholarship Fund at Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Dr., DUMC Box 3322, Durham, NC 27710.

The Champagne family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Services. Online condolences www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.