Grace Thornton

It is with great love and respect that we say farewell to our gentle and gracious aunt and sister Grace Thornton. She endured to the end of this life and passed on to the arms of her family who preceded her. She faced life with courage and joy for 93 years even though she suffered a debilitating stroke 16 years ago.
Grace was born to George Dunn and Elva Thomas Thornton on Feb. 20, 1924 in Preston, Idaho. She was the fifth of eight children. Elva Ann, Norma (died as a toddler), George T., Howard (died in infancy), Grace, Preston, Mary Louise, and Lorraine.
After her High School graduation Grace worked at Hill Air Force Base as a riveter on airplanes during WWII. She then continued her education in nursing, obtaining her degree from LDS Hospital School of Nursing. She joined the US Air Force and served at Whitman Air Force Base in Sedalia, Missouri. She obtained the rank of Captain and served as the Chief Operating Nurse for two years. She returned to the Veteran’s Hospital in SLC, and then served the next seven years as an Air Force Reserve Nurse at Hill Field Air Force Base.
Grace interrupted her career and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Eastern States. Part of her mission she served as a guide at the Mormon Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair. After her mission she returned to the VA Hospital in Salt Lake and worked as a surgical nurse in the operating room until her retirement in 1974.
Grace served as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple for fourteen years and also served a five-year mission as a medieval genealogist.
Grace and her sister Ann lived in Centerville for many years. In 1994 they built two new homes. They stayed in their Washington, Utah home during winter months attending Dixie College, the LDS Temple and concerts; their summers were spent at their North Logan, Utah home which they built on some of their father’s farmland. Her sister Lorraine and husband Alva and her family lovingly cared for her at Lorraine’s Bountiful home during her later years. Her nieces and nephews gave her much loving attention during this time. She passed away at Legacy Assisted Living in Bountiful.
Grace loved traveling to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and most of the states. She learned the computer for genealogy and extraction work and completed much research, histories and volumes of genealogy. She worked in most of the LDS auxiliaries. Grace enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading good books, gardening, handicrafts and cooking. She met many interesting and wonderful people and was very grateful for her many experiences and friends.
Grace continually served others and generously gave of her time and financial resources. She supported every family event and made each person feel special. Her nieces and nephews adored her and many of them called her their second mom. Her example and testimony of Christ was exemplified continually. Although she was never able to speak again after her stroke she worked with much perseverance to recite the Lord’s Prayer before EVERY meal. She also with much effort re-learned some songs and loved to sing. Her spirit glowed with love for all.
She is survived by her sister Lorraine and many loving nieces and nephews. Other siblings and one nephew, Robert McKinlay, are deceased.
Services will be held Saturday, November 11, 2017 at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan Chapel, 420 East 1800 North, North Logan, Utah. Viewing will be Saturday from 11-11:45 a.m. Services will be held at the mortuary at 12:00 noon. Interment will be in the Smithfield Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net