Mary Elizabeth Thornton

Mary Elizabeth Thornton (Mare) finished her work in this life and passed on to the next on Friday, October 7, 2011. Mary was born in Madison WI on July 31, 1956 to Melvin and Betty Ann (Coyne) Thornton of Middleton. She graduated Middleton High School and later attended MATC and various sessions at the University of Wisconsin. Mary was an avid softball player and umpire throughout her life. On one occasion on taking the pitcher’s mound to start an inning, three different players threw in fielding practice balls to her at the same time. She caught each of them and put on a great juggling show to the delight of the teams and the fans. Such was her life. She tried to juggle the struggles that came her way. Often her challenges were greater than she could bear and just as often she would put on a great show with her unique response. Mary was recently employed with the state capitol Sergeant at Arms office and also as a bakery delivery driver. A large part of defining her character was her time spent as an EMT and as a security guard for St. Mary’s Hospital. Mary was involved in Democratic politics and was a foot soldier on many campaigns. She came up short on a primary challenge of her own for Madison Alderperson several years ago. She was the last president of the Middleton Jaycee women and assisted in merging that group with the separate men’s Jaycees when it became open to women. Mary was heavily involved in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Yahara House. Mary worked passionately for women’s rights and in the Rainbow Coalition for gay and lesbians rights. Mary is survived by her brothers and sisters: Phil (Kim Ganser) Thornton, Paul Thornton, Don (Carol) Thornton, Terry (Laure) Thornton, Ted (Susan Grimes) Thornton, Pat (Bill) Grove, Bob (Lauren) Thornton, and Barb (Mike Blanda) Thornton. She also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews for whom she always tried to be the doting zany aunt. Her legacy remains with the ball teams and campaign workers, the community organizations she worked with, and the family and friends who have shared her passions moving the world forward in those endeavors. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her maternal grandparents, John and Mary Ellen (Richardson) Coyne; and her paternal grandparents Justin and Harriet (Pillsbury) Thornton. A visitation will be held at Gunderson Funeral Home, 7435 University Ave Middleton WI, starting at 3:00 on Wednesday, October 19, 2011; concluding with a short service at 4:00. Memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made to: Friends of Yahara House, 802 E. Gorham St. Madison WI 53703. A private burial service will be held at a later date at Resurrection Cemetery where she will be interred near her parents. Rest in Peace Cemetery: A private burial service will be held at a later date at Resurrection Cemetery where she will be interred near her parents. Memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made to: Friends of Yahara House, 802 E. Gorham St. Madison WI 53703. A visitation will be held at Gunderson Funeral Home, 7435 University Ave Middleton WI, starting at 3:00 on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 A visitation will be held at Gunderson Funeral Home, 7435 University Ave Middleton WI, starting at 3:00 on Wednesday, October 19, 2011; concluding with a short service at 4:00.