Jean 'Marie' (Manning) Thornton

Jean ‘Marie’ Thornton

July 11, 1928 - March 19, 2024

Jean ‘Marie’ Thornton nee Manning of Woodstock, ON and most recently Secord Trails in Ingersoll died in her 96th year.  Predeceased by her loving husband Ronald Masson Thornton (2006).  Marie was the loving mother of the late Patricia Ann (infant), Ronald ‘Gary’ (2018), Jon Stephen (2020) and her surviving daughter Barbara Marie.  She was predeceased by her parents Wilfred Leonard Manning and Winnifred Ethel Carver Manning, her in-laws Leslie and Minnie May Masson Thornton.  She was the much loved older sister of brothers Wilfred (2014) , Frank (Butch) and Walter Manning and sister-in-law Jean Manning.

She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Nancy Thornton and loving daughter-in-law Marilyn Thornton, ten adored grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and several great, great-grandchildren as well as multiple generations of nieces and nephews.

Marie was made a Life Member of the United Church Women, an honour of which she was very proud.  In her early years, she was an active musician in her father’s bands in Woodstock and Norwich.

Ron and Marie owned and operated the successful retail store ‘Thorntons of Woodstock’ on the main street in Woodstock for roughly 25 years with the support of their sons Gary who was an accomplished salesman like his father and Jon, a CA who with his mother, crunched the numbers.   They spent many winters in Florida and traveled extensively.

After selling the Turkey Point cottage which they built together when the children could enjoy it and, their Florida home, they moved to a retirement community in Tillsonburg where they were extremely active and made many wonderful friends.   In the 1950s and 60s, she and Ron were also extremely active square dancers and later Ron enjoyed some success as a ‘Caller’.  They enjoyed life, they enjoyed their growing family and many friends, a drink or two, a game of cards, and especially each other.

After Ron’s death in Tillsonburg, Marie moved several times until she spent ten years or so at Oxford Gardens.  She was very happy there and only a few years ago moved to Ingersoll with enormous grace and humour.

The family wishes to thank the hard-working Staff, especially the PSWs at both Oxford Gardens and Secord Trails for their willing and attentive care.

A Graveside Service will be held at the Presbyterian Cemetery, Woodstock on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 1:30 pm. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Brock & Visser Funeral Home, Woodstock (519-539-0004)