Rosanne Colvard Thiel

Rosanne Colvard Thiel of St. Augustine, Florida, passed away in St. Petersburg, Florida on October 3rd, 2026. She is survived by her children, Kimberly (Blaine) Corle, Dana (Ed) Wasloski, and Brett (Lorraine) Taylor; four grandchildren, John, Edward (Christie), Sarah and Katharine (Sean), her brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Patty Colvard and her sister Linda Dorian. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Michael Thiel.

Born in DeLand, Florida and raised in part on her grandfather’s Hillandale Estate in Pierson, Florida, Rosanne enjoyed a childhood that included birthday celebrations with dancing monkeys, acres of orange groves, cattle, ferns, and participation in the 1940 World’s Fair as a youngster ‘representing the future’.

At Hillandale she fell in love with animals and nature. She was particularly fond of horses and elephants. She loved the gentle nature of elephants and claimed that one day she would own one. And in fact, true to her nature, she found a rescue elephant group and ‘adopted’ one from afar. She was an ardent gardener, finding happiness outside when she was among plants and birds.

Rosanne married young, had three children, divorced, and went back to college for a bachelor’s degree from Bowie State University and a master's degree in art history from the University of Maryland. This furthered her passion for art and all things about art. Raising her children outside of Washington, D.C. (Crofton, Maryland) afforded her the ability to learn and grow.

She insisted her children learn the ‘good things in life’: Art, music, books, manners, politics, and social graces. She ensured that her children were frequent visitors to art galleries as well as getting exposure to French restaurants, events in the city, and even RFK’s funeral in Washington, D.C. Her message was clear – get involved in life, educate yourself, turn off the boob tube (her nickname for the TV), read, travel, work hard, use your manners, learn social graces, and set the table with linen napkins.

She taught art at Annapolis Senior High and was a favorite among her students. She was determined, bold, and full of life. She loved the creative process and was proud of her students' work, pushing them as she did her children.

In the backyard of their Crofton home, she married the love of her life, Joseph Thiel, who preceded her in death by five months. They were married for 52 years and traveled the world together. Both Rosanne and Joe worked for Federal Express (he in management, she in sales). She loved the travel that came with the job, especially a trip to India, and of course, a ride on a camel.

After retirement she focused her time on art and exhibited at numerous galleries, including a one woman show at Bowie State, her alma mater. She became a volunteer with the Methodist Church Stephen Ministry. She was full of ideas and energy and tidbits from Wall Street Journal

articles and enjoyed a hearty sense of humor. She did not suffer fools and was not afraid to speak her mind.

Her love of art (Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne and O’Keefe) , literature, animals and all kinds of music live on in her family. She left us – her children and grandchildren – with a thankful heart, for she was a force – she was our force - and we will carry her with us. We love you Mom, until we meet again.

A private family celebration of Rosanne’s life will be held in DeLand, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mara Elephant Project.

https://maraelephantproject.org/donate/