DELLA THORNTON

1919 - 2011

Della Rose Thornton, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Friday, August 19, 2011 at the age of 92 years.
In accordance with Della’s wishes, a private family service will be held with burial to take place at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens, Calgary.
Della is survived by her daughters Lorna (Frank) Spanbauer of Lethbridge and Heather Bartlett (Ed Anderson) of Chilliwack, British Columbia; grandchildren Maggie (Rick) Nickel-Bowen, Charline (Jeff) Giesler, Frank A. Spanbauer and Jennifer (Dave) Brodoway; great grandchildren Matthew, Nathan, Colby, Mia and Brooke; sister Inga Pretty of Regina.
She was predeceased by her husband Irving in 1997 and grandson Trevor Pomeranz in 1984; siblings Marshall McIntosh, John McIntosh, Percy McIntosh, Lena Wetstein, Mary Mussellman and Anna Unich; sisters-in-law Esther McIntosh and Lola McIntosh; brothers-in-law Charlie Wetstein, Jim Pretty, Thad Mussellman and Eddie Unich.
Della was born on May 7, 1919, one of eight children. She loved learning and knowledge. Following high school Della received her teaching degree and went on to teach for over thirty years. Della married Irving Thornton and they settled in Vauxhall where they lived and raised their children. Della and Irving eventually moved to Calgary where she continued teaching. Following Della’s retirement from the Calgary School Board, she continued to take classes at the University of Calgary for her enjoyment. Della and Irving both enjoyed playing the piano and tap dancing lessons. Over the years they made many lifelong friends. After Irving’s passing in 1997, Della continued to be active and traveled to China, Japan and many times to Palm Springs. Della would read the newspaper from cover to cover each day and always kept up with everything that was happening in world, including Canadian and United States politics. She loved to knit and her family cherishes all the blankets and jackets she has made for them. Della always kept active and went to the gym and for long walks well into her eighties. In 2005 Della moved from Calgary to be closer to her family in Lethbridge. She spent four years at the Columbia Assisted Living and two years at the Good Samaritan Park Meadows Village.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Chinook Regional Hospital for the care they provided during Della’s last month.