Obituary of Jean Thornley

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Jean Thornley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who left this world peacefully on December 5, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 83.

Jean Mannion (her name later changed to Jean Simmonds when her mother remarried) was born on October 25, 1941, in Manchester, England. She was a devoted mother to Richard Peter Thornley (Sandy Stift), Michael Thornley (Pamela Fallon-Thornley), Yolanda Nandlall (Vish Nandlall), and Sonya Thornley. She was a loving grandmother to Benjamin Thornley, Alexander Thornley, Jake Appleby, Lauren Appleby, Finn Thornley, and Oscar Nandlall, all of whom she cherished deeply.

Jean was predeceased by her loving and devoted husband, John Clifford Thornley, with whom she shared many, many happy years, and her parents, Mary Irene (Roche) Simmonds and stepfather, Sidney Simmonds.

As a young girl in England, she practiced ballet and worked as a bookkeeper before marrying Cliff Thornley, who just lived around the block.  Jean, Cliff and the children moved to Canada in 1976, where she built a life filled with kindness, compassion, and volunteerism.

After settling in Canada, Jean volunteered with the Red Cross, knitting, sewing and baking items that were sold to raise funds for those in need. This work was close to her heart, and it provided her with a meaningful way to make a difference. She fostered strong values of volunteering and helping others within her children, which will live on through them.

In addition to raising her four children, Jean was an active member of the Women’s Overseas Club, which she participated in for many years. Although no one outside the group got to see her pantomimes, other than through pictures, they were the season highlight and much talked about. She collected and drove many of the members to the meetings each month, accepting chocolates in lieu of payment.

In the 1980s, Jean began her career as a tax preparer with H&R Block, a job in which she took great pride. She was known for her meticulous attention to detail and the personal care she provided to each client.

Like her husband, Jean was always quick to lend a helping hand. She had a sharp wit, a big smile and a love of Agatha Christie. She was known to often fall asleep reading. She loved to sew and knit, and was a member and president of the Machine Knitters Club later in her knitting career.  She made many Halloween costumes and clothes for Barbies.  She was patient with teaching her children to do the same. She was known for making people feel valued and appreciated, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Before and after retirement, Jean and Cliff spent a lot of their time travelling to many destinations, Australia being a favorite that was revisited several times. Her least favorite moment was being charged by an elephant in India. When not travelling, she spent lot of time baking and freezing all the fruits and vegetables that Cliff grew in the garden (and there were a lot).

In the later years of her life, Jean faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease with remarkable strength and grace. The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Shannex for their devoted care during her illness, ensuring she received the comfort and dignity she deserved.

A memorial service to celebrate Jean's life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11:00 am in the J.A. McAdam Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jean’s memory to the Alzheimer's Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Canadian Red Cross.