Lourdes "Dee" Delores (Avila) Thornton
Lourdes “Dee” Delores (Avila) Thornton was born February 12, 1916 in San Mateo, Calif., to Arthur Avila and Josephina Candida Junquero Avila. Aunt Dee spoke Portuguese until first grade. A strong fighter packaged in a tiny frame, Aunt Dee could always command attention.
It was in California that young Lourdes met a dashing young Air Force private from Billings, Mont., John Thornton. Uncle John and Lourdes lived all over the world as they climbed the military ladder. John became a Lt. Colonel and she a Lt. Colonel’s wife.
John and Dee were married for 73 years until his passing this January. Their only son Johnny died too young at 24 years of age in a traffic accident in Japan. Dee was upset that her “boys” had left her and pined for their company.
She became ill with pneumonia and left us to join them on March 23, 2011.
Lourdes is survived by her nieces and nephews. Thank you to all the waiters, waitresses, doctors, nurses and the staff of the Bonaventure for your care and patience. Raise a glass of California Chardonnay to Aunt Dee and toast, “Long life and happy landing.”
She will be laid to rest next to her husband and son at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.
Remembrances
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Please know all of us at First Pharmacy send our heart felt sympathy. We adored John and Lourdes...both of them cam e in to get groceries and prescriptions regularly. We will miss them. God Bless to family, Hertha and staff