Elizabeth J. Thornton
(Betty)
9/7/1931 – 3/14/2023
Saratoga Springs, NY – On Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 Elizabeth Thornton, 91 years old passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side.
Betty was the daughter of the late Briggs Carigan and Nina A (Stinard) Tompkins of Pawling, New York.
While studying in nursing school, Betty met her beloved husband Michael, while attending a party. He was a friend of the host and she was the plus one of her dorm mate. Betty (who hated to be called Elizabeth) loved to recount the story of how Mike colluded with the person who was driving the girls back to their dorm, so he could ride with them and conveniently orchestrated things so they wound up in the backseat together. They had an instant connection. Mike and Betty were married October 13th, 1951 and went on to raise five children in Ballston Spa, Michael, Daniel, Timothy, Matthew and Cherrie. They enjoyed family camping trips, boating on Saratoga Lake aboard “The Bluebird”, and vacationing in Cape Cod.
Betty enjoyed spending time with her large family.
She was known for shopping on QVC, watching Hallmark movies year-round, and completing many different jigsaw puzzles. Betty preferred the warm weather and a nice cocktail. She enjoyed cooking and baking; she made one mean apple pie! Her Swedish meatballs and cookies at Christmas time were also family favorites! Recipes of which she passed down to the next generations to keep the Thornton traditions alive. Christmas time was one of her favorites! Her home was always beautifully decorated, her gifts wrapped so neatly and the kids could always count on a new holiday ornament to add to their Christmas tree collections.
Betty’s legacy lives on in the memories shared by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Betty is predeceased by her parents, husband Michael, her son Daniel, and her siblings, Lloyd Stinard Tompkins, Mable Eleanor Tompkins, Evelyn Tompkins, Leroy Leon Tompkins, Virginia Louise Tompkins, and Dorothy Arletta Tompkins.
She is survived by her son Michael (Ann) Thornton of Gansevoort, daughter-in-law Patricia Thornton of Saratoga Springs, son Timothy (Deborah) Thornton of Greenfield Center, son Matthew (Wanda) Thornton of Gansevoort, and daughter, Cherrie (Al) Bishop of Nashua, NH.
Her grandchildren, Tracy (Chip) Locke, Michael Thornton, Kate Nichols, Clayton Nichols, Brendan Thornton, Christine (Jason) Delaney, Kathryn (John) Cannone, Ralph Grotto (Giulianna), Eric Thornton, Erin Thornton (Anthony Weils). Watching her many great grandchildren grow, brought her great joy; Sydney, Jackson, Zachary, Rylie, Liam, Olivia, Cecilia, Harlow, Dennis, Francesca, Julian and Rosalie.
A burial will be held on Saturday, March 25th at 1:00pm at St. Peter’s Cemetery (150 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs).
At Betty’s request a celebration of life will follow.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Community Hospice, who assisted in caring for Elizabeth at the end of her life. https://www.communityhospice.org/donate
