Margaret Marie Thornton

It is with profound sadness and love that we announce the passing of our extraordinary mother, Margaret Marie Thornton. Margaret passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 11th, 2025, at the age of 87.

Margaret was born on March 24th, 1938, in the small town of Santa, Idaho, to Oliver and Esther Montour. Oliver Montour was tragically killed in a logging accident in 1942, at that time Esther moved her family to Spokane, WA.

Margaret, the oldest of three, enjoyed helping her mother with her younger siblings. She was an avid reader and spent much of her time at the local library. Margaret attended North Central High School, where she was very involved with several scholastic activities, including Scholastic Honor Roll, League Honor Roll, Amores Librorum, Big Sister, several after school sports and worked in the school library. After graduating High School, Margaret attended Northwest Nazarene University.

In 1961 Margaret married Clarence Warren Thornton and relocated to The Dalles, OR. She began working for The Dalles Soda Works and from there spent the next several years working as the office manager for Pepsi Cola Bottling until retirement in 2006.

Margaret continued her love of reading, gardening, and volunteering as much as possible, especially her children’s after-school sports and activities. From keeping time on the mountain during ski team races, to working at the concession stand during baseball and softball. She was very active in the PTA, Half Mile Extension and Mid-Columbia Community Concerts. Music was something that she was extremely passionate about and would encourage as many individuals as possible to support the community concert.

The most treasured event in her life was when she became a grandmother. Margaret loved spending time with her grandchildren and ultimately great-grandchildren. She attended many sporting events, extracurricular activities, and took as many trips as possible with grandchildren.

Margaret was not just a mother to her children, but a mother to all their friends. She had the wonderful gift of listening without judgment, giving advice when asked for and a shoulder to cry on whenever needed.

Margaret also had a love for all pets, no matter what type of animal it was. She loved them and made sure the house was full of furry loved ones.

Margaret is survived by her daughters, Debbie Johnson (Husband Randy), Denise Kilbourne (Husband Gregg), Deanne Carrico (Husband Jamie); son, Douglas Thornton (Wife Kristie). Her cherished grandchildren Amanda, Annie Rose, Allie, Kyle, Colin, Paige, Ryan, Haley, Payton, Alyssa and her nine great grandchildren that she thoroughly adored.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Thornton; brother, Alan Montour; sister, Virginia Buckholz.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, following the private family gathering for the inurnment.

Love… bears all things; believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

Our love for you will never fade, for it lives on through us, our children, and grandchildren and all you have touched.