Death and Aftermath
Thompson was hospitalized and her family appealed for financial help in late August 1983. By September, the family had collected $25,000 in donations to pay for her medical care. Florence died of "cancer and heart problems" at Scotts Valley, California on September 16, 1983. She was buried next to her husband George, in Lakewood Memorial Park, in Hughson, California, and her gravestone reads: "FLORENCE LEONA THOMPSON Migrant Mother – A Legend of the Strength of American Motherhood."
Daughter Katherine McIntosh told CNN that the photo's fame had made the family feel both ashamed and determined never to be as poor again.
Son Troy Owens said that more than 2000 letters received along with donations for his mother's medical fund led to a re-appraisal of the photo: "For Mama and us, the photo had always been a bit of curse. After all those letters came in, I think it gave us a sense of pride."
Read more about this topic: Florence Owens Thompson
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