COOPERSTOWN – Sandra “Sandy” L. Thorne, a native of Cooperstown and long-time faithful member of Christ Church, passed away peacefully Monday evening, November 8, 2021, at her home with her family by her side. She was 79.
Born September 22, 1942, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, Sandy was a daughter of William R.P. and Aline M. (Campbell) Heller.
After graduating from Cooperstown High School in 1960, Sandy attended the Central City Business Institute (CCBI) in Syracuse where she completed their secretarial course. For many years she was employed as the Office Manager and Secretary for the Otsego County Highway Department.
On August 8, 1964, at Christ Church in Cooperstown, Sandy was united in marriage to Marshall Lewis Thorne, another Cooperstown native who had just completed his time in the United States Marine Corps. They lived for a time in her grandparent’s home on Elm Street in Cooperstown, until moving to a home near Fork Shop where they have happily resided for the past 30 years.
Of the Episcopal faith, Sandy was a life-long, devoted and faithful member of Christ Church in Cooperstown. Through the years she served the church in many ways, including serving on the Altar Guild, ushering with Marshall, and as a member of the Vestry. She and Marshall were also faithful attendees of the 8 a.m. Sunday Services. She was also member of the Native Daughters of Cooperstown, the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Auxiliary, and served for many years as secretary on the Board of Directors of the Hartwick Seminary Cemetery Association. In her leisure, she loved to shop and enjoyed entertaining, especially dinner parties with all the extras. Sandy also had a fondness for the Christmas season that was unmatched. She always went out of her way to make Christmas special for everyone she knew, and during the Holidays her home was a testament to her love for the Season as she displayed her enormous collection of Santa Clauses. Most especially, Sandy loved her family – they were the most important part of her life. She especially adored and doted on her two granddaughters, Dakota and Natasha, and she and Marshall enjoyed taking them on trips. Family, Church and Community: Sandy led a full and productive life, and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Sandy is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Marshall, of Cooperstown; their son, Jeffrey S. Thorne and wife, Stephanie, of Otego; two granddaughters, Dakota R. and Natasha L. Thorne; and a sister, Marion Terpening of Warren, Ohio and Cooperstown, and her family, Matthew W.C. Terpening and Andrew J., Matthew D., Jaden N., Trinity R. and Tristan Terpening and Meredith M. Arn and Brenna M. Arn and Sage.
The Office of the Burial of the Dead with Holy Eucharist (Rite One) will be offered at 11 a.m. Friday, November 12, 2021, in Christ Church, Cooperstown, with the Rev'd Nathan P. Ritter, Rector officiating.
The Committal service and inurnment will follow at the Ecumenical Columbarium in the Church-yard at Christ Church.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Christ Church All Souls Fund, 69 Fair Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Fly Creek Emergency Squad, PO Box 218, Fly Creek, NY 13337.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
