Dolores Lee Thornton

Our mother, Dolores Lee Thornton, died October 27 after a long, full life.  She was 89.  Dolores (Dorie) was born to Elmer Martin York and Opal Marie York in Center, Nebraska.  She grew up on their family farm with her beloved siblings; brother, William (Bill) and two sisters, Pauline and Phyllis. The farm and her childhood taught Dorie the value of hard work which shaped her steadfast work ethic, a trait that endured throughout her lifetime.

In 1954, Dorie left their Nebraska farm and journeyed to Washington D.C. for secretarial work. While in the nation's capital she met and married, Samuel Howard Thornton, Jr., her love for 43 years.

They had two sons, Christopher and Gregory.  Sam's career moved them overseas to Guam and Japan and they enjoyed many worldly adventures together, before settling in Severna Park, Maryland to raise their boys.   Sam passed away suddenly in 1997, and after seven years of widowhood, Dorie married Thomas Morgan Perkins, and old friend of the family.  Tom and Dorie enjoyed a late in life marriage of love and companionship until Tom passed in 2020.  Together they resided in Honolulu, Hawaii and Sun City, Arizona.

Our hardworking career mother was a successful Real Estate Agent with Donald W. Moss and Associates for many years.  She enjoyed games; bridge, bingo and her "penny slots".  From her bountiful gardens mom canned and preserved her plentiful produce.  Our family relished her love of baking; apple pies, cinnamon rolls and her delicious Christmas cookies. Mom had a quick wit and was always generous with her time and resources.

Dorie's love for her two sons was only matched by the love for her seven grandchildren. She spent the formative years of her grandchildren's lives shepherding them after school, teaching them about the plants in her gardens and spoiling them at Christmastime and on birthdays. She valued higher education and made significant financial contributions to the further education of her seven grandchildren in support of their careers and passions.

Dorie is survived by her two sons, Christopher Lee Thornton and wife Candace and Gregory Wayne Thornton and wife Maryann as well as seven grandchildren; Bethany Lee Thornton, Emily Elizabeth Sroka and husband Matt, Cole Andres Thornton and wife Dani, David Christopher Thornton and wife Grace, Samuel Wayne Thornton and partner Shawn, Evan Michael Thornton and fiancé Carly and Allison Marie Mears and husband Will. Dorie was also blessed with 10 great children and holding her grandbabies brought tremendous joy in the last few years of her life.

A graveside service will be held on November 17, at 11:00 am at Stevensville Cemetery, 808 Main Street, Stevensville, MD 21619.

A Celebration of Life will follow at the home of Greg and Maryann Thornton, 405 Fernwood Drive, Severna Park, MD 21146