It was so nice to remember Bill & Dorothy sitting behind us at Church!
There Love & Commitment Glowed!
They were such an Awesome example of how they Loved their Faith in Jesus!
Now Dorothy is in Heaven Singing with the Angels as she sang in our Church's Choir! She will be remembered for kindness & Love for others!
I will Pray for Dorothy & Her Family!
Love in Christ,
Sherry Gorski❤️

My son, Ron, and I we’re saddened by the loss of Dottie.
She was a most loving, kind, caring and generous lady, a genuine Christian in every sense of the word. Her love of Jesus was modeled in all she said and did. Dottie’s and Bill’s marriage was the epitome of true love and devotion.
Our sincerest sympathy to Bill and her entire family.

Like so many others, my most vivid memories with Nana were at the Cottage.  Whether it was watching her spend hours on her feet preparing a meal for us or playing card games, she always seemed genuinely happy to just be spending time with her family.  I especially enjoyed staying up late on the porch with her, sitting in silence as we listened to Cubs games come crackling through her silver radio.  One thing I did not enjoy though was the pot Nana thought we should all use when the bathroom was occupied.  

Nana taught all of us the true meaning of being a selfless/loving person.  She loved to call Pop out on everything (oh Bill) but she never seemed to hold anything against him or any one else.  She was never afraid to share her opinions or convictions but she accepted everyone.  I loved sitting in bible studies with her because she would sit there completely quiet intently listening to everyone else.  But when she finally would speak it was always something profound that you knew just had to be the truth.

I was also lucky enough to sit with Nana for many years in church.  It always amazed me the last few years that even when her other memories became fuzzy she still knew all the hymns she had been singing for years.  I shouldn’t have been surprised as I truly believe those words and the meaning behind them went well beyond her mind and were instead in her heart.  I vividly remember how strongly she would sing the refrain to ‘It Is Well With My Soul.’  Nana, anyone who knew you realized truer words have never been sung.  We love you all the bushel!  


My condolences for the loss of a very special woman, wife , mother, and Nana.  Lots of special memories that we will all have. Love and hugs for you all.❤️

Aunt Dorothy was my dad Allan May’s youngest  sister.  I remember family vacations with so many May aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents in Sistersville WVa.   Such wonderful memories!!  So many of us together at Momma and Daddy Mays’ ! Aunt Dorothy always had a beautiful happy smile and bright eyes! She was so warm... such a warm and loving mother and aunt! She and Uncle Bill were a great team.   My thoughts are with all of her family during this very sad time.

You will be surly missed. Will always remember time spent in the family home in Hickory Hills. Being a next door neighbor and playing with Sarah in our youth. Thank you for putting up with us. 

Countless memories come to mind when I think of Nana. Most especially; however, I think of the ways in which she modeled to her family genuine love, selflessness, and strong faith in Jesus. I remember my mom (Sarah) telling me years ago that she'll always remember how Nana would somehow find a way to serve hot meals to her family - even while working the night shift as a nurse for 17 years. I remember Nana serving her family meal after meal in the tiny kitchen at the cottage. I don't remember her ever complaining, but rather seeing the joy it brought her having the family together, enjoying one another. I vividly remember a time at the cottage when I was young and that I accidentally poured orange juice onto my cereal instead of milk. She made me eat it anyway...she hated wasting anything 😂 I remember fond memories of Nana and Pop taking a friend and me to Heritage USA after we graduated from 8th grade, and how we practically ate every meal along the way at Shoney's (guessing they had countless coupons)! I also remember a time when Nana and Pop watched Buzz, Scott, and me while my parents were away. One night we had severe storms roll through and tornado sirens went off late at night while we were asleep. It woke Buzz and me up, so we went downstairs to ask them if we should go in the basement. They were all relaxed in their chairs reading and were like, "Oh garsh - I'm sure the storm will blow over soon...we'll be fine." 😂 And although I was very young at the time of my dad's accident, I know that Nana stayed with us day after day so my mom could be at my dad's bedside in the hospital. I'm sure I'll never know all the sacrifices she made for our family, but I am forever grateful for her and the legacy she left us. She never missed a birthday...year after year she faithfully sent us all birthday cards. I remember she had a planner with all of her loved ones birthdays, and it was FULL, and it kept her busy 🙂 Love you so much, Nana...all the bushel 💜 

Dottie, I am so glad you have been promoted to sing with the angels! You were a huge blessing to all who knew you!
You and Bill are some of our "senior saints" that Cyn and I have always admired. Someday when we grow up we want to be just like you! Thank you for all you taught us and how you modeled loving Jesus.
Love, Tony and Cyn Perkins

Bill and Dorthy Thorns were the most spiritually influential people ever in my life. They pointed the way to Jesus Christ when I was very young.  I remember singing in the choir with her years ago and man could she sing. They would make sure that each week, we were picked up and taken to church on Wednesdays and Sundays. They bought a 10 passenger van so that they had room to take us Gombash boys to church. 
I am who I am today because of the love that Dorthy and Bill had for Jesus and me. 
I am a short term missionary because they implanted in me a desire to help other. Shepherd's Heart International was formed as a compassionate nonprofit ministry because they never gave up praying for me. 
Dorthy showed me the patience of a Saint when she loved me despite my ways.
She bandaged me up, fed me, loved me, tolerated me, took me on vacations and prayed for me. 
I am the man of God that I am today because she loved Jesus and me.
She is now reaping her rewards. 
I will always love you Mrs. Thorns
Your child in the faith
Keith Gombash



Nana was a picture of love and determination.  Our vacations seemed to always center around the family.  I remember nana trying to feed 20 people out of a small kitchen in a family cottage which was made to hold 4 people...and we often had 15-20.  I remember our trips to visit Aunt Mutt and our many trips to Heritage USA.  
Nana always looked out for everyone else.  She wanted to be a part of everyone's life, and quietly show her love and dedication to the family.  I remember so many times of Nana and Pop going to sporting events, concerts, etc for so many of the cousins.  I remember that she took care of me on Friday's while my parents had to work late.  She would make me whatever meal she desired, and would keep trying until I learned to like it ;)
Love you Nana, thanks for all the love and memories.

I remember Mrs Thorns as a Beautiful,Sweet,Kind,Loving,Soft Spoken Person.  I grew up in the neighborhood with the family and best friend of Cathy. I spent much time at their house as Mrs Thorns was like another mother. I would be there when
Mr Thorns came home from work and they always greeted each other with a passionate kiss.  It was a very loving family and Mrs Thorns set that example. Mrs Thorns had a beautiful singing voice and I’m sure she is singing with all the angels with exultation  to her Lord and Savior. Hopefully we will be neighbors one again in our forever neighborhood ❤️

We love you Nana and will miss you. So happy we will all be re-united again! 
I will never forget the time and memories I have with you at the cottage every summer, holidays, and other family get-togethers. 

Love, 
Buzz, Amanda, and Ellie

She was a wonderful lady.  She was one of the “moms” in the neighborhood I grew up in.  We all knew each other and went to church together.  I have great memories of her.  Her daughter Cathy is a good friend of mine along with Lynda and Linda.  We had a great childhood and she was part of that.   She will be missed greatly but I’m sure she is singing in the heavenly choir!  
Love to her family,
Martha and Stuart Dunnett

My beautiful Nana, 2,000 words isn't enough to share how much we all loved you or to share all the memories I have stored away, but I'm going to try. You were beautiful, you were strong, you inspired us, and gosh did you make us laugh. You were quiet, but man oh man, you were a little firecracker. I remember sitting at the cottage in Michigan with you playing king's corner; you always gave anyone who dared to challenge you a run for their money. I remember your smirk and eyeroll when Pop talked too much, and your giggle when you'd make fun of him. We knew how much you loved Pop, but it was fun to see that after that many years of marriage, your sense of humor never dulled. I remember sitting at your kitchen table and painting your nails your favorite pink as you sang along with Frank Sinatra; you always loved to sing. I remember holding hands as we prayed before dinner; your faith was as strong as you were. I adored watching you as you'd sit back at family parties and look at the family you created with the most loving and caring eyes. You didn't always have much to say, but when you did, it either made us laugh or melt. Your smile always lit up the room and no matter how tired you were, you always managed to say the words "I love you, all the bushel". You've been called home and it's bittersweet because we will miss you so much, but I know that you'll be happy--you've been reunited with your son. We all knew your love for the Lord and how strong your faith was, so there's no doubt that you and Uncle Jim will be looking down on the family for the rest of our time here on this earth. We love you so much, Nana, all the bushel.

When I think of Nana, I think of a certain color blue. The closest color I could find to explain it is  havelock blue. They had this color all around their Chicago condo that I mostly remember. It is a common color for nurses uniforms. It is a color of loyalty, strength, wisdom and trust- how perfect. I also think of her in the kitchen making the most random sandwich concoctions for Pop. I loved when she would say, “oh Bill”.
 I also loved their van. I remember I had to use the bathroom while on a road trip and she made me go in a pot in the van, but I think I left more than she bargained for in that pot! 
I also remember while in West Virginia, the fire alarm at the hotel went off. (False alarm).My mom, dad, brother, and I were waiting for Nana and Pop to come out of the hotel.  They were one of the last. Nana was fully dressed and the first thing she said to my mom was, “where is your purse?”  
My most favorite thing was when she would hug me and kiss me on the cheek and say, “I love you all the bushel.” 
She was an amazing Nana, great Nana, great, great Nana, mother, and wife. She has set the bar high for every woman in the family after her. She will be missed, but we know she is home with God and with her first son. 
I love you all the bushel- and a peck, Nana. 

Jilly 


From our trips to Heritage USA, to our wonderful summer visits at the cottage, she always had a heart of gold. I will always have fond memories of the trip that Buzz and I took with Nana and Pop to the Carolinas and how she had all of our sandwiches packed in the cooler and our means of using the restroom in the conversion van 😊 She had an amazing life, marriage, family, and relationship with God. Nana, you will for forever loved and missed. I love you all a bushel.

OBITUARY

Dorothy A. Thorns

March 7, 1926 – April 11, 2020

Oak Lawn Funeral Home

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