JoAnn Ross Thornton

JoAnn Ross Thornton, 81, of Georgetown, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2014. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 North IH 35, Georgetown, TX with a Rosary being recited at 6:30pm. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 10am at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2700 East University, Georgetown, TX 78626. Interment to follow at Georgetown Memorial Cemetery in Georgetown. Honoring JoAnn's memory serving as pallbearers will be: Charles Polk, James Polk, Andy Stinebrickner, Clem Stinebrickner, Jason Vasquez and Price Vasquez. JoAnn was born on March 24, 1933 in Beaumont, Texas to Charles and Catherine (Gallo) Ross. She was raised in and attended schools Beaumont, where she met Norman Thornton at a dance. They were married on August 12, 1956 and shared the joys of life together for more than 57 years. In her spare time she enjoyed dancing, sewing and cooking. She was a loyal member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and was active in the Women's Auxiliary for the Marine Corps League and VFW Post 8587 in Georgetown. JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Kathleen Thornton and her sisters: Sally Schrader and Lucille Drey. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her husband, Norman; children: Charles Thornton and his partner David Siegel of Austin, Khristi Polk of Georgetown and Norma Thornton and her partner Stephen Howe of Weir; grandchildren: Charles and James Polk, Amanda, Sarah and Daniel Lins and Nicholas Howe; sister, Mary Stinebrickner, her adopted family known collectively as the Langowski children and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Salvation Army or to The Caring Place - Georgetown, TX.