Dorothy Thorburn, age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at home surrounded by her family. She was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on September 4, 1937, to Edgar James and Lucille Speid. She was the youngest of seven siblings: Ivan, Egbert, Herman, Sylvia, Edgar (“Eddie”), and Samuel.
Dorothy’s roots remained deeply connected to Jamaica, where she grew up. She later traveled to London to further her education, journeying there with her beloved aunt, Miriam Speid, on the Queen Mary. Her aunt would go on to found Merl Grove and DunRobin schools—an enduring family legacy—and was later knighted by the Queen herself.
At the height of her career, Dorothy was promoted to Vice President of Agency Service at American Bankers Life Insurance.(Currently Known As Assurant ) She later retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield after 15 years of dedicated service.
A breast cancer survivor, Dorothy was a proud member of The Breast Cancer Society Foundation and an active member of Coral Gables Congregational Church, where she served on the board for many years.
Dorothy is survived by her loving family: her son, John; her grandson, Jaden Thorburn; and her husband, Paul Parcell.
