Mary Ann (Brooks)_Thornton

May 19, 1928 - Nov. 22, 2025

The family of Mary Ann (Brooks) Thornton is sad to announce the loss of their dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her death took place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Carleton Manor, Woodstock, NB.

Mary Ann was born May 19th, 1928, the daughter of Ralph and Helen Brooks of Woodstock. She was the last surviving member of that family having been predeceased by her sister, Patty, brother Malcolm and his wife, Helen and her brother Franklin and his wife, Kaye. A resident of Canterbury for 65 years, she was also predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Leon Thornton in 2004 and her second husband, Randolph Brown in 2017.

Mom was a proud member of the Woodstock High School Class of 1945. She was active in sports, music and social clubs while there and made many lifelong friends. She then attended Acadia University in Wolfville, NS, graduating in 1949. Her many activities there included Class Secretary for her graduation year, Vice President and later President of the Secretarial Science Club, interclass sports manager, literary editor and member of the yearbook staff. Mom was a double inductee into the Acadia Hall of Fame for her athletic achievements. In 1996 she and her basketball teammates from 1948-49 were inducted for winning 4 provincial titles and 1 Maritime intercollegiate title. In 2004 she was again inducted for her individual athletic achievements playing basketball, ground (field) hockey and badminton.

Following graduation, Mom worked at Sunlife Insurance in Montreal. She later attended and graduated from the Ontario Teachers' College in Toronto and took her first teaching position in Port Credit (now Mississauga) Ontario. She returned to New Brunswick and moved to Canterbury in 1954 following her marriage to our father, Leon Thornton. Mom would make Canterbury her permanent home. She and Dad happily raised their 4 children together there.

Mom taught English at Canterbury High School then later taught music in Canterbury, Meductic, Debec and Broadway School in Woodstock from 1954 until her retirement in 1988. She then began volunteering several days a week at CHS to help students improve their reading skills. She highly valued education and service to others.

Mom's love for playing the piano and for music was wide ranging and varied. Everything from classical to religious, musicals, big bands, pop, and contemporary. She loved adding challenging pieces to her music repertoire and practicing them to perfection. Growing up, our home was filled with music and singing as friends and family gathered around the piano while Mom played and we all sang. All of her children and grandchildren have special memories of sitting on the piano bench as she sang and played for us.

Our mother was an active community member throughout her life. She was the organist and choir director at St. Mark's United Church for over 60 years. She loved being involved in Dessert Theatre when Bev Brazier was minister there. She was happy to play the piano or the organ at countless weddings, funerals, Remembrance Day services, Canterbury High School graduations, and Christmas concerts. She also led an exercise class for years, was a member of the Carleton County Historical Society and a member of the Home and School Association.

Social connections were a joy for her, and she especially enjoyed time with friends during her Book Club meetings and their monthly birthday lunches. She was Secretary for the Skiff Lake Cottage Owners Association for many years. Gardening, flower arranging, reading, crossword puzzles, board games and socializing with friends on the deck at the lake brought her great pleasure. She knit countless sweaters, mittens, and scarves for fundraisers and for family. She made excellent strawberry jam, fruitcake, shortbread cookies, mocha cakes and graham cracker pies. Mom remained physically active throughout her 80s. She loved both summer and winter activities - biking, skiing, camping, hiking, swimming, skating, canoeing and walking. She always whistled while she walked. She travelled all across Canada and then overseas many times and loved every new travel experience she had.

Mom was kind, loving, generous, understanding, fun, bright and well-read. Learning new things and having new experiences was a pleasure for her. She loved engaging in rich conversations with people, and she loved to laugh. She had the ability to connect with folks of all ages and backgrounds. We all found it particularly difficult when her bright wit, intelligence and sense of humour all faded and then left her in the last few years of her life as her dementia advanced. Mom remained in her own home until age 91 when she then moved to Riverside Court in 2019, followed by her move to Carleton Manor. Her family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff members at both of these locations for the excellent care and kindness Mom received from them.

Mary Ann Thornton is survived by her 4 children and their spouses: Nancy Thornton-Smyth and Ken, Charlottetown, PEI; Bill Thornton and Jody, Sault Ste. Marie, ON; Sally Keilty and Dick, Kanata, ON; Janette Conklin and Dak, Cornwall, PEI. Her 9 grandchildren include Sarah (Eamonn) O'Connell, Scott (Brooklyn) Thornton, Eric (Leah) Thornton, Emily (Ed) Fagan, Connor (Julia) Keilty, Julia (Mike) Keilty, Brooks Conklin, Ben (Danielle) Conklin, Adam Conklin plus 4 great grandchildren, Nola and Leon O'Connell, Isla Conklin, and Éala Fagan. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, several cousins and countless friends accumulated through her long, fulfilling life.

Resting at the  Scott Funeral Home, 815 Main Street, Woodstock, NB. Visitation will take place in the church hall at St. Mark's United Church, Main Street, Canterbury on Saturday, November 29th from 11am to 12:30pm. Funeral service will begin at 1pm.  Rev. Greg Williams officiating.

A brief graveside service will follow. Everyone is then invited to a reception at the church hall.

For those wishing to do so, the family would appreciate donations to St. Mark's United Church, a place very dear to our mother.

www.scottfh.com