In loving memory of

Kathleen Ann Thornton
December 12, 1941 - January 19, 2022

Kathleen Ann Thornton, age 80, of Dallas, Texas, passed away January 19, 2022.

Kathie was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1941, grew up in New York and attended Adelphi University. She moved to Plano, Texas in 1980 and built a career as a chemist in the food and animal health industry before retiring in 2012.
Kathie was well accomplished at work and was known as a constant guidance to her coworkers. Family and friends were her entire world. She led her family with grace and fierce love. She was the embodiment of strength, resiliency and pure sweetness. Kathie was a natural caregiver and made everyone feel her loyal devotion. Her favorite things in life were cooking shows, Neil Diamond, visiting Cape Cod, eating New England lobster rolls, being with her wonderful friends. Kathie was known as "Gram" to her family and she took her role seriously. She thoroughly enjoyed her two children and grandchildren, and the love and admiration for her was mutual. She was a constant presence in their lives. Kathie taught all of us life lessons and we will honor her memory daily. She would want everyone to smile and to enjoy the lives that they have been given. She would tell you to check in with family and friends, watch over one another and take care of each other. She lived a fantastic life filled with love, laughter and smiles. This will be her Legacy.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her father, Louis J. Villa and her mother Elsie Croasdale Villa, her brother, David Villa and grandson, Brice Wood.

Kathie is survived by her son, Thomas Thornton, daughter Julie Thornton Wilson, son-in-law Todd Wilson; her grandchildren: Jack David Wilson, Owen Thornton Wilson, Kathryn Klimczak , Louis Wood; and two great-grandchildren: Zachary and Andrew Cochran. Kathie is also survived by many longtime friends, cousins, and extended family on the East Coast that she loved dearly.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 11:00am in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, Texas.

Donations can be made in her memory to Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas which was an organization close to her heart.

Tributes

Richard Fresh wrote on Feb 3, 2022:

"I worked with Kathy back when the company was known as Zoecon. I loved her stories about being a mom. She always left me laughing. Richard Fresh Zoecon '79-93."