Mary E. (Donaher) Thornton

Mary E. (Donaher) Thornton, 61, of Hudson, NH died Sun. Sept. 27, 2009 at St. Joseph hospital in Nashua, NH surrounded by her loving family after a long struggle with cancer. Mary was born on Aug. 28, 1948 in Worcester, MA daughter of the late John F. and Josephine (Fahey) Donaher and was the loving wife of Robert D. Thornton of Hudson, NH with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. Mary was a caring, patient and successful teacher. She began teaching kindergarten in Damariscotta, ME, which was followed by six years at St. Joseph's in Salem, NH teaching 2nd grade. For the last twenty years, Mary taught ESL at American Training in Lawrence, MA. She enjoyed the challenges and rewards of preparing her international students with the skills and hopes to achieve their dreams in America. Mary was a devoted wife, a proud mother and a supportive and nurturing sister and aunt. She treasured her family and cherished their summer vacations on Sebec Lake. She was a loyal and thoughtful friend. As a member of the Alpha Phi chapter at the University of Maine at Orono, she met and remained lifelong friends with a beautiful circle of women. She enjoyed traveling and reading, afternoon tea, the hits of The Beatles, the great state of Maine and the laughter of her children. As her nephew Stephen said so perfectly, "If everyone could treat one person, for one minute each day the way Mary treated every person, every day, the world would be a much better place." She will be greatly missed but joyously received by her mother, father and beloved relatives. Besides her loving husband, Mary is survived by a son Benjamin D. Thornton of Cambridge, MA; a daughter, Amanda E. Thornton of Cambridge, MA; two brothers, Richard Donaher and his wife Judy of Roque Bluffs, ME and Jack Donaher and his wife Jacqueline of Topsfield, MA; a sister, Frances Curcio and her husband Leonard of Maynard, MA; three nephews, Leonard Curcio of Townsend, MA, Stephen Curcio of Sanford, ME and Jacob Ward of Washington D.C.; Four nieces, Christina Murray and Laura Barbella both of Littleton, MA, Amelia Donaher of Las Vegas, NV, Josephine Donaher of Key West, FL; seven great nieces and nephews, Christopher, Nicholas, Emily, Peter John, Connor, Lindsey and Alison and many good friends. Visiting Hours will be held on Thurs. Oct. 1st from 5-8 pm in the DUMONT-SULLIVAN FUNERAL HOME, 50 FERRY ST., HUDSON. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Fri. Oct. 2nd at 11:30am in St. Kathryn’s Church, 4 Dracut Rd., Hudson, 03051. All May Meet At Church. Burial will be at a later date.

Mary E. (Donaher) Thornton

August 28, 1948 - September 27, 2009