OREGON - Mary C. Thornton, age 78, of Oregon, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at BeeHive Homes. She was born on Jan. 16, 1946, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, the daughter of Orvin and Bertha (Behrend) Gotfried.

Mary graduated from Edgewood High School in 1964 and McDonnell Douglas Airline School in 1965. She was united in marriage to Arthur Thornton on May 20, 1967, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Madison. Mary worked as a reservationist for Northwest Airlines for three years after graduation and then as a rural mail carrier for the Oregon Postal Service for 21 years, retiring in 2000.

Early on, Mary participated in many of her children’s activities. She was a 4H advisor where she enjoyed attending horse shows and watching her children show their exhibits at the Stoughton and Dane County fairs. She was an excellent baker who was proud of her prize-winning cinnamon rolls. Mary loved spending hours playing board games and cards with her grandchildren. She and Arthur loved to travel the world, their favorite trips included multiple cruises to Alaska.

Mary is survived by her husband, Arthur Thornton; children, Keith (Cindy) Thornton, Karyn (Jerry Norby) Thornton, Donna (Dan) Loeffler and Diane (Michael) Derrick; grandchildren, Samantha and Noah Derrick; Bobby, Keith and James Loeffler; and Morgan and Liesel Norby; sisters-in-law, Marcia Thornton; best friend, Karen Baker; and many cousins and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orvin and Bertha; in-laws, Kieth and Ruth Thornton; and brother-in-law, James Thornton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 338 S. Harrison St., Belleville, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, with Father Chahm Gahng presiding. Burial will take place at Frenchtown Cemetery. A visitation will be held at church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday.

A special thank you to BeeHive Homes for their wonderful care and compassion, especially Michelle. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park St.
(608) 835-3515

Mary C. Thornton

January 16, 1946 - May 15, 2024

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