Agnes Helen Thornton

AGNES HELEN THORNTON Agnes H. Thornton, 94, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her beloved family, Monday, September 21, 2015 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. Agnes was born December 26, 1920 in Toledo, Ohio to Edward B. and Helen T. (Fitzgerald) Farley. She married John J. (Jack) Thornton on her birthday, December 26, 1950 in Perrysburg, Ohio and he preceded her in death (1985). For over 25 years, Agnes helped farm her family’s 80 acres in Perrysburg. During World War II, while her only brother served in the military and her father worked in a Michigan factory, Agnes farmed, whether driving a tractor to plow a field, putting up hay, hoeing corn or picking countless bushels of tomatoes, to successfully survive the Great Depression. Simultaneously, she worked at Luzney’s grocery store and their dress shop in town. After marriage and children, she worked in the St. Rose School and Perrysburg Public Schools cafeterias for over 20 years. She was a faithful member of St. Rose Catholic Church and Altar Rosary Society. Agnes was a loving and dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, homemaker and friend. The legacy left to her family and friends of a deep love for her Catholic faith, family and friends, her generous spirit, courage and compassion for other, pride in her Irish heritage, ever thankful heart, and lifelong passion for corresponding through letters with so many from Germany and Scotland to Hawaii were an inspiration and encouraging beyond words. She enjoyed gardening, canning, playing Scrabble and cards. She also liked to cook, bake and care for others. An excellent seamstress, Agnes was always ready to sew on a button, hem a sleeve or pant leg, recover a chair or create yet another personalized pillow. She is survived by; son, Michael E. Thornton of Waterville, OH; daughters, Rose Ann (Doug) Hale of Warsaw, IN and Mary M. (Cary) Cox of Toledo, OH; grandchildren, Wendy (Tom) Steusloff, Kristen (Brandon) Hurst, Katie (Harry) Daniels, Jeffrey Hale, Andrew Thornton, Michael D. (Kristen) Thornton, Rachel Semionow, and Cameron Cox; six great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Amy D. Thornton; sisters-in-law, Ellen Farley and Eileen May. Agnes is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many treasured friends. In addition to her husband, Jack, Agnes was also preceded in death by her dear parents; sons, Patrick A. Thornton and Edward J. Thornton; four siblings, Lucille (Vincent) Nichter, Mary (Robert) Lymangrover, John (Ellen) Farley and Rose Farley; sisters-in-law, Sister Agnes Therese (Elizabeth) Thornton, Sister St. Mark (Margaret) Thornton, Catherine (Thornton) Berry, Ruby (Loomis) Thornton, and Mildred (Thornton) May; brothers-in-law Vincent Nichter, Robert Lymangrover, William and Arthur Thornton and Ralph May; niece, Sharon Koehler; and nephews, Jimmy Lymangrover, Joe Nichter and Bill Berry. We have lost our Aggie, but now she’s in the loving arms of Our Lord and Savior, surrounded by her loved ones. Friends will be received Friday, September 25, 2015 from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 E. South Boundary Street, Perrysburg (419-874-3133), where Scripture Services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 9:15 A.M., followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 E. Front Street, Perrysburg at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow in St. Rose Cemetery. Memorials may be in the form of a contribution to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.