Obituary of Patricia Iola Thorne

Patricia (Pat) Thorne of Peabody, MA, passed away on July 30th 2019 at age 92 in Danvers, MA. She was born March 27th, 1927, to Clifford and Elizabeth MacLean of Black River, New Brunswick, Canada. She immigrated to the US with her parents in 1941 at the age of 13. She became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States on May 14th 1948. She grew up in Essex/Woburn, MA and graduated from Woburn High School. She later attended New England Baptist School of Nursing and graduated with her RN degree in 1947. Pat loved her family. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years while her children were growing up, participating in the typical alphabet soup of children’s activities-- Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, school, church, youth groups, etc. She was also an active member of the “neighborhood mother’s alliance” which kept all the kids in the neighborhood in line. She was a good neighbor and friend to so many and cherished those neighborhood friends. Pat returned to nursing for a time, but later realized she wanted to make a career change. She went to work for Jordon Marsh (later Macy’s) which was a good fit for her gregarious and warm personality. She worked in retail for over 25 years where she met and formed lifelong friendships. After retiring from Macy’s, she became a dedicated volunteer for the Peabody Historical Society. Her work with the Historical Society was her passion. The Historical Society gave her another opportunity to make new friends whom she cherished for the rest of her life. She frequently shared her enthusiasm and historical knowledge with her family and encouraged their participation in many special events. Pat was a skilled crafter. She would knit, sew and bake with enthusiasm and always with love. She frequently made clothes for her grandchildren for special occasions including matching flower girl dresses that have been passed down to her greatgrandchildren, a tribute to the quality of her workmanship. Pat had an artistic sense of interior decorating, creating true art within her home and in her gardens. Pat was a devoted and beloved grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed just being around the family and spoiling them at every opportunity. She readily provided extended care for her grandchildren many times when their parents had opportunities to enjoy port calls in the middle of a lengthy submarine deployment. Visits with and from Grammy were happily anticipated joyful occasions. In her later years, her grandchildren have made many trips from near and far, continuing an unbroken chain of special times to be with her, most recently just a few weeks before her passing. Pat was predeceased by her husband Robert of 69 years. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Pam (Walter), Bill (Jill), and Tom (Ellen); three grandchildren, Jessica (Mike), Shiloh (Justin), and Sean (Beth) and eight greatgrandchildren. Pat is also survived by a legion of friends, some of whom are children of Pat’s friends and neighbors who raised their families together. She was unfailingly welcoming, unselfish, and generous. She will be remembered with love by so many whose lives she touched. There will be a graveside service for Pat on August 6th, 2019, at Spring Street Cemetery in Essex, MA, for those that would like to attend. A Celebration of Life for Pat is planned for a later date. Pat was proud of her work with the Peabody Historical Society. Donations may be made in memory of Pat to Peabody Historical Society, 33 Washington Street, Peabody, MA 01960.