Obituary of Aileen Eleanor Thornton

Aileen Eleanor Thornton passed peacefully at Glendale Crossing Care Home in London ON, on 1 March, 2021.

Aileen was born on 10 June, 1926 to parents Jessie and Harrison (Bud) Mullen and spent her childhood in Brantford ON.

Aileen and Bill were married on 1 July, 1950 in Brantford, ON and made Woodstock, ON home for over 50 years. One of Aileen’s proud achievements was earning her Ontario Insurance Brokers License; together Aileen & Bill owned and operated the Bill Thornton’s Insurance Brokerage on Dundas Street in Woodstock, ON for 18 years before retirement.

Aileen had a gift and passion for beauty and design in everything she touched. In the winters she created beautiful works in crochet & needle work. In the summers with Bill as her helper, she created flower gardens filled with spectacular blooms and greenery, including 20 foot blue spruce trees that she grew from seeds. A tour of the garden was a highlight for the many welcome visitors to her home. Spending time with her much loved family at their cottage at Kettle Point ON was another source of joy for Aileen.  

Aileen will be sadly missed by: her husband William (Bill) Thornton who resides at Parkwood Veteran’s Care in London ON, her sister Florence McGibbon of Brantford ON, her sister Verlie Crawley of Hamilton ON, her daughters Deborah White (Shahid Hayat) of London ON, Cheryl O Art of London ON, her grandchildren April White of Sydney Australia, Joshua Jones of Cambridge ON, Judah Oudshoorn of Kitchener ON, Daniel Oudshoorn of London ON, and Abram Oudshoorn of London ON, as well as great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and cousins.

It was Aileen’s wish that there be no funeral or ceremony. Family will gather to celebrate her life at a future time when we are able.

If you wish to remember Aileen by donation it can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or any charity that you would like to support in her memory.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for your kind thoughts and condolences at this time."