GREENVILLE – Audrey Leah (McLellan) Thornton, 91, died Aug. 22, 2010, at Charles A. Dean Hospital, Greenville. She was born July 9, 1919, at Kai-o-Waza Lodge, Farrar Lake, Topsfield, the first child of Arthur and Hazel McLellan. Audrey was educated in local schools, graduating from Lee Academy. She continued her education at Washington State Normal School, Machias, and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono. The first year of her teaching career was at South Princeton. She also taught for eight years at Topsfield Elementary School. Audrey completed her career by teaching for 22 years at Greenville Elementary School, retiring after more than 30 years in 1978. She took great pride in the teaching of her students and enjoyed seeing their successes as young adults. During her retirement years, she experienced endless hours working in her magnificent flower gardens. She held leadership positions in numerous organizations; local, state and national teacher associations, Delta Kappa Gamma and Alpha State. She was also an active member of Union Evangelical Church, having served many years as a deaconess and on many various committees. Audrey lived her life with grace, dignity and faith. She was very thankful for her busy and full life as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, aunt, teacher and friend. She became the loving and devoted wife of Vaughn Thornton, in 1941. This union produced four sons and a daughter whom she dearly loved. In addition to her husband of Greenville, she is survived by two sons, Michael and his wife, Judith, of Greenville Junction, and Greg and his wife, Jayne, of Falmouth; a daughter, Robin of Greenville; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren whom she cherished deeply, Michael II and his wife, Jackie, of North Waterboro, Mitchell and his wife, Vanessa, of Georgia, Nicholas and Elizabeth of Portland, Stefanie of Greenville, and Kristin and Casey of North Waterboro; many nieces and nephews who were very special to her. Audrey was predeceased by an infant son; a son, Jeffrey; and a brother, Roger McLellan. Family and friends are invited to visit 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 28, at Union Evangelical Church, Greenville, where a memorial service will begin noon with the Rev. Dr. Robert Veon officiating. Those who wish to remember Audrey with a contribution may donate to Jeffrey B. Thornton Scholarship Fund, Greenville High School, P.O. Box 100, Greenville, ME 04441. Arrangements by Crosby & Neal, Greenville. For an online guest register, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.
AUDREY LEAH (MCLELLAN) THORNTON
