Antonette S. "Toni" Thornton

Antonette S. (Toni) Thornton, 76, of Independence, passed away on April 2, 2016 after a short illness. A visitation will be held Friday, April 8th at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church (10010 E. 40 HWY, Indep., MO) from 6-8 p.m. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9th at the church.

Toni was born on May 29, 1939 to Adela Miller Sullivan and Donald A. Sullivan in Corso, MO. She married her husband of 53 years, John Thornton, on June 30, 1962 in Millwood, MO.

Toni graduated from Silex (MO) High School in 1957. She earned a B.S. in education at the University of Missouri in 1961, and a M.A. in education from UMKC. She taught in Ladue, Columbia, Raytown and Independence, MO. She later worked part-time in the Kansas City Royals’ ticket office and at Leiters Fabrics. She also worked at Unitog Company for 13 years and retired in 1999 as secretary to the company president.

A dedicated community servant, Toni was a member of Nativity of Mary Catholic Church and its Altar Society. She was active in the Independence Branch of the American Association of University Women and served many years on the Missouri AAUW Board. She served 30 years with the Jackson County Democratic Committee, including 10 years on the Executive Board. She was also active in Citizens for Effective Leadership in Independence and worked on many local political campaigns. She held a board position for many years with the American Cancer Society and annually organized a Relay for Life team.

Avid travelers, Toni and John visited all 13 presidential libraries, numerous Major League Baseball stadiums, 50 states and seven continents. Toni also enjoyed working in her garden, following the Royals, playing bridge, and spending time with her family.

Toni will be missed by John and their children, Patrick Thornton (Tracie) of Lenexa, KS; Kate Thornton (Diane) of Portland, OR; and Michael Meyer of St. Louis, MO. She was a wonderful grandmother to Mckenna, Olivia, and Sterling Thornton. She is also survived by her sister, Elsie Cronen (Floyd) of Bellflower, MO; brothers, Jerry Sullivan (Joan) of Farmington, MO; and Pat Sullivan (Sandy) of St. Charles, MO; stepbrother, Ron Teare (Bonnie) of New Port Richey, FL; stepsister, Susan Schopp (Rick) of St. Charles, MO; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Toni Thornton AAUW Reentry Scholarship Fund, c/o Truman Heartland Community Foundation, 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Suite 340, Independence, MO 64057-8303. Online condolences to www.mcgilleysheil.com.

Arr: McGilley & Sheil Chapel, 11924 E. 47th St., KCMO 64133, 816-353-6555.