Yvonne Thornton Obituary

Yvonne Thornton, 97, longtime Colorado resident passed away at home in Colorado Springs on May 4, 2017. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Charles and Eleanor ("Nellie" Kennally) Larson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George, brothers Darrel, Neldar, Chad and Charles and granddaughter Molly.

Yvonne is survived by her children, Leslie Ellen (Gery) and George A. Thornton III, her grandchildren Heather (Craig), Jarman (Rachael), Kelsey (Chris), and great-grandchildren Zachariah, Adrian, Emilio and Quinn; nieces Mary Ellen (Jim) and family, Sally and family and Nancy and family; nephews Bill (Helen) and Kent (Ann) and families.

Growing up in Milwaukee, Yvonne, "Honey" to her family and friends, had fond memories as a child going out to her cousins' farm in Hartford, WI. Her brothers' pigeon coop in the city. Greeting her father as he returned home from work as a Railroad Engineer. Always ready with a hug and a piece of gum from his pocket, for his little girl! In the bitter-sweetness of life, her father died when she was only nine. However, because of his job the family was able to travel by train in the U.S. At age 16 she and her mother took a trip to Dolores, Colorado to visit her aunt. There she met her future husband, George. They were married November 14, 1942. His career in the Navy and the civil service created a time of travel. She took on the role of "Officer's Wife," not only was she supportive to that calling and phase in her life, she continued to always be devoted as a homemaker, taking care of her husband and kids. Eventually his work brought them back to Colorado in the early 60's.

In this changing world of multiplicity, many of her joys in life were simple and enriching. She loved playing the piano, took classes at UCCS for painting, sketching and decoupage. She liked to study different religions at C.C., was a devout Catholic. Yvonne would meet with friends for lunch at Patty Jewett Golf Course to discuss memoirs she wrote about in her youth and young adulthood. These stories eventually passed on to the younger generation. She also passed on the love to knit, sew and crochet. She delighted in a garden full of flowers, herbs, birds and bees. She loved to walk her poodle, "Precious," around the neighborhood.

Yvonne's devotion was steadfast and supreme as the early morning dew glistening on the flower blossom. She will be cherished and missed. As family and friends we are honored and blessed to have known her as daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

In her own words she wrote: "She liked to say that her claim to fame was that she planted a tree, she took a spouse and she gave the world a child. However, she planted many trees, as her husband's work with the Federal Government took them to many locations. Years later, on a nostalgic trip, she saw the wispy willows grown to shady heights an in another place they once called 'home' the small living Christmas tree planted so long ago, was there to greet her with its adult magnificence. So wife, mother, homemaker and environmentalist - open your Heaven God - Here she comes!"

As requested a private graveside service was held at Crystal Hills Cemetery, Manitou Springs, Colorado.