Obituaries

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Thornton, age 95, a longtime resident of Old Forge, passed away Tuesday morning at Mountain View Care Center in Scranton. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Thornton, Jr., on New Year’s Day, 1976.
Born in Moosic on December 2, 1921, Betty was the daughter of the late David and Elizabeth Fries Craig. She was graduate of Old Forge High School, Class of 1939, before raising her loving family.
A pillar of the Brick United Methodist Church in Duryea, she was a lifelong member who held countless positions and offices within the church throughout her life. She served as a Sunday School teacher for 70 years. Also a Vacation Bible School teacher and a member of the church’s choir, she also served as president of the Womens Society of Christian Service. She was an active volunteer for the Memorial Day dinner, noted for baking her legendary pies for everyone in attendance.
A loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, she’ll be forever missed by her adoring family.
She is survived by her two children, Karen Mazaleski and husband William of Old Forge and William Thornton, III, of Old Forge and companion, Christina Walukas of Duryea; five grandchildren, Kelly Thornton, Tracy Alexander and husband Mark, Jody Verdetto and husband David, Billy Thornton and wife Chrissy and Megan Gerlach and husband Aaron; nine great grandchildren, Chelsea and Mark Alexander, Olivia and Natalie Kimble, Emily and Aubrey Thornton, Patrick Verdetto, Madison and McKenzie Gerlach; one great-great granddaughter, Tessa Kurpiewski; and nieces and nephews.
Brothers, David and William Craig and Henry (Hank) Nelson, also preceded her in death.
Her family wishes to thank the entire staff of Mountain View Care Center for the amazing care provided to Betty throughout her stay.
Funeral services are scheduled for Friday at 10:00AM at the Brick United Methodist Church, 935 Foote Avenue in Duryea, to be conducted by Rev. Sharon Dietz, Pastor, with a blessing by Rev. Doug Hoeffner, relative. Interment will follow in the Marcy Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Thursday between 5-7:00PM at the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 N. Main Street in Old Forge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s name to either the Brick U.M. Church, 935 Foote Ave., Duryea, Pa., 18642, or to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.