ESTHER THORNTON
NORWICH – Mrs. Esther Graham Thornton (neé Wilcox) died at age 87, Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, after a short illness in Sandy Spring, Maryland.
Esther, a long-time resident of Norwich, was the Perry Browne School librarian from 1965 to 1983. Previously she had been the School Librarian in Mount Upton. She also worked at Guernsey Memorial Library and taught English in the Norwich High School. Her career as a teacher included time in the classroom at Syracuse University, Williamsburg, Massachusetts and Custer, Montana.
Esther was a member of Grace Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ and a member of their choirs. She was active in arts, theater, music, political, and cultural activities throughout her life and a supporter of Planned Parenthood.
She graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1941, an English and theater major. She did graduate work at Mount Holyoke College and Syracuse University.
Esther, the widow of Henry S. Thornton, is survived by her son Gregory and his wife Barbara of Millis, Massachusetts, and her daughter Elizabeth and husband Peter Austin and their daughters Hannah and Marika Austin of Ashton, Maryland.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Place, 20 East Main, Norwich, c/o The Henry Thornton Memorial Fund.