RUMFORD — Ruth Adelia (Witter) Thornton, 70, of Rumford passed away on Thursday, Aug. 16, at her home, surrounded by her family and friends after a four-year battle with lung cancer.

She was born on Dec. 28, 1947, in Bethel to Ferroll (Buck) and Marie Witter.

She was married to William (Bill) Thornton Jr. on Jan. 16, 1965. Together they celebrated 37 years of marriage before he passed away on Dec. 9, 2002.

She was the assistant manager at Dollar Tree in Rumford until her illness. She enjoyed doing puzzles, reading, doing crafts and visiting at the kitchen table with her family and friends.

She attended the 7th Day Adventist Church in Woodstock with her lifelong friend Brenda Bartholomew. Ruth was kind and generous and would help or take in anyone in need.

She is survived by her son, Joseph Thornton and his wife, Linda; her daughter, Maggie Churchill and her husband, Ivan, (Ruthie’s favorite kid); her mother, Marie Witter; her sister Glynda Flynn; her grandchildren, Jami (Roger) Laramee, Jordan (Dean) Schubert, Joshua and Jacob Thornton, Gabrielle and Elizabeth White, and Robbie (Laurisa) Fitzmorris; three great-grandsons, Tucker, Corbin and Everett; her nieces, Tracie (David) White, Jana Moffett and Kate Davis; and her nephews, Ryan and Todd Davis.

She was predeceased by her husband, Bill Thornton; her father, Ferroll Witter; her sister, Crystal Howard; and her niece, Felicia Moffett.

The family would like to extend a big thank-you to Dr. Nicholette Erickson and the Oncology Clinic at Rumford Hospital, and to all the family and friends who walked with her for the past four years.

Ruth Thornton