Donna Lee Thorne

Donna Thorne passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on January 23, 2022, following a resolute and graceful battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born on July 25, 1936, in Nephi, Utah, she is the third child of Dan and Lona Warner. Her two brothers, Marvin and Danny preceded her in death. Her beloved older sister, Gloria, is living in San Diego, California.

In her younger years, in Mona, there weren’t any other children nearby, so she learned to knit, read, and entertain herself. As a child Donna enjoyed spending her days playing outside with her cats, rabbits, and dog, exploring the meadows, hills, and mountains, and catching pollywogs and frogs.

Donna met her eternal companion, Gale Thorne, at the tender age of 17. Their courtship consisted of late-night tennis and squeezing in as much time together as they could while Gale was attending the University of Utah, before being separated by his being drafted into the Army. Just after her 18th birthday, she flew to Las Cruces, New Mexico, near White Sands Proving Ground where Gale was stationed. On July 30th, 1954, the day they were reunited, they were wed by a Bishop in a small ceremony in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake City temple.

As a self-described tom boy, Donna was perfectly suited to be a loving and mostly patient mother of her seven boys. She cherished their family vacations, camping, and fishing. She proved her enthusiasm for the sport one day when she jumped into a river to attempt to retrieve an enormous fish that had managed to wriggle off her fishing line. Affectionately, her boys recall her spirited time mothering, having them work alongside her in the garden, clearing snow atop the roof of their house, and cleaning their downstairs gym where she captured a mouse that bit her and promptly died. Donna’s grit and embracing of the work that came naturally into her life was excelled only by her love of family.

She showed her love through service, always eager to be useful. She was an adept homemaker who elevated the science of cleanliness, organization, and a purposeful life into poetry that was placed on refrigerator magnets and into the hearts of her family. Her love of education flourished in her youth. She graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah. Later in her retirement she took yearly trips to BYU education week with dear friends. The importance of learning was strongly impressed on her children and grandchildren. Her enlightened view of a big and interconnected world allowed her to love her Maker and the animals He provided, especially elephants, nearly as much as she loved the people in her life; and to generously interpret the manners, deeds and intentions of children and adults: seeing the best, expecting the best and encouraging the best from all of us. Donna also showed her love through gardening, thriving in the warmth of her work outdoors, always happy to share the fruit of their labor with family and friends.

While Alzheimer’s disease gradually stole her memories, she remained quick to smile and greet her loved ones. In her last few years she perfected the art of napping, eyebrow raising, and hand holding. Donna faced her final months as she had all the months that came before with compassion, integrity, labor, and love.

Donna is survived by her husband, her sister Gloria, and sons and their wives, Gale Jr. and Sandra; Bruce and LaDean; David and Amy; Michael and Carla; Steven and Rebecca; Kendall and Trina; and Craig and Stephanie, 31 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren. Donna was preceded in death by her parents Daniel Wendell and Lona Anne Newell Warner, her brothers Marvin and Danny, and grandsons Matthew and Henson.

The Thorne family would like to express special thanks to the Hospice aids and nurses who helped Donna transition through the last phase of life providing much needed service with constant dignity and care, with further thanks to all her friends and neighbors who have remained close and thoughtful throughout her lifetime, especially those in the Bountiful Hills Ward.

Donna had a particular fondness for elephants. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating funds to Alzheimer’s research and/or an elephant wildlife sanctuary.

The remarkable life she lived will be remembered by all those who knew and loved her. We are forever indebted to her, her generous spirit and her gracious example of a devoted and beautiful life. To share a memory of Donna or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.russonbrothers.com or send an email to thornesrb@aol.com.

Funeral services for Donna will be held at 12:30 p.m., Friday, January 28, 2022, at Bountiful Hills Ward, 1190 East Bountiful Hills Dr., Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held from 11:30 – 12:15 p.m. prior to services. She will be laid to rest in Lakeview Cemetery in Bountiful.