Hilda T. Thornton

Hilda T. Thornton, our gracious mom, wife, grandma, and great grandma joined the love of her life, John H. Thornton in heaven on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at the Home of The Good Shepherd in Saratoga Springs, New York. 

She was born on April 2nd, 1934, in Mooers Forks, New York, she was the 9th child of 13 children whom are now all together enjoying the blessings of heaven.  The daughter of the late John Frank Snide and Aldora De Coste Snide. 

Hilda was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker who always supported her children in all their adventures.  She was a gracious woman with a beautiful kind soul that could be felt through her love of baking and cooking for her family and friends who would stop by. Hilda always greeted you with, “Are you hungry? What can I feed you?” Our all-time favorites were her lasagnas and of course Pork Chops with milk gravy.  

Hilda and John lived many years in Stone Ridge, New York raising their family. She was a beloved nursery schoolteacher at the Christ the King Episcopal Church. She devoted herself to home and family throughout her years in the Catskills and later in the Adirondack mountains. Her years were full of pleasant days, blissful nights, and the graceful splendor of the changing seasons.  

Upon Johns retirement they moved to the Newcomb, New York, where they planned to stay home together and relax, while they enjoyed the blessings of retirement.  That didn’t last long as both worked at the Blue Mountain Museum soon after. She also enjoyed the game of golf, always trying to beat John, soaking up the sunshine (she had to get her vitamin D).  She also loved a good poker game in the wee hours of the night. 

The holidays were a very special time for Hilda. She loved everything about the holidays. It started when the first snowfall in Newcomb, which sometimes could be in September.  John would just roll with it because he always saw the joy it brought to her heart.  Hilda loved to deck the halls, decorating every room from top to bottom. For years they would hunt for the perfect Christmas tree in their back woods while singing Christmas Carols so that every hunter knew that she and John where on the hunt! Hilda would bake for weeks to be able to give everyone her sweet treats loaded with love.  No one could ever forget her delicious fruit cake.   

Hilda’s final chapter was living with her loving son and wife at their beautiful log cabin in the woods of Lake Luzerne, until she moved her to the Home of The Good Shepherd in Saratoga.  There, she was so busy with all the activities they had to offer.  Hilda had a remarkable ability to connect with people. The love and compassion the staff had for her was immeasurable.  It was a very sad day for all the staff hearing of her passing. 

Hilda was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories.  She was adored and loved by so many.      

“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure!”

Hilda is survived by her two sons, Robert Thornton, his wife, Mary of Lake Luzerne, NY and Thomas Thornton of Taos, NM; daughter, Debra Strom, her husband, Cliff of Saratoga Springs, NY; grandchildren, Ashley Campbell (Matt) and Brett Strom (Ashleigh); grandchildren Ashley Campbell, her husband, Matt and Brett Strom, his wife, Ashleigh Nolan Strom all of Saratoga Springs; great-granddaughter, Stella Campbell; God daughter, Dawn McLean; sisters in law, Shirley Snide and Imogene Snide and so many nieces and nephews.  Family was very dear to her heart. 

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, John H. Thornton; brothers, Herman, Jerome, Harvey, Ernest, Reginald, Walter and Willard; sisters, Gertrude, Leona, Patty, Joan, and Anita who are all together again enjoying and celebrating their love for each other. Heaven is rocking and rolling!

Family and friends may call from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. (Rte. 9 and/or Marion Ave.), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. 

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871 following the visitation at the funeral home.

For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

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