Anne Thornton Napolitano

SOUTH PORTLAND – Anne Thornton Napolitano, 80, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Residence in Portland after a brief illness, with her son by her side.

She was born in Belmont, Mass., the second of four children of Thomas J. and Priscilla (Keenan) Thornton. She grew up in South Portland and graduated from South Portland High School in 1961 and then from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1964. She worked for many years as a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital in Portland, and later at Bayonet Point Regional Medical Center in Hudson, Fla. She was an extraordinary nurse, and many of her most cherished friendships were formed at Mercy. She also carried the qualities of compassion and care for others beyond her professional life, and she spent many years later in life caring for elderly relatives and loved ones.

She was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Portland and the Order of Moose in Scarborough. In her own opinion, she had very nice legs and was an excellent dancer. She could get herself into trouble, but she loved people and was a loyal friend and a faithful Catholic. She loved the state of Maine, and two of her favorite places were Higgins Beach in Scarborough and Trickey Pond in Naples. She was inordinately proud of her Irish heritage, and celebrated to excess each year on St. Patrick’s Day. She was also a passionate (Boston) sports fan, and some of her proudest moments came watching her brother Tom coach Cheverus to a Maine state football championship and her brother-in-law Butch coach Salem High School to a Massachusetts state baseball championship.

She was predeceased by her parents; her older brother, John and her sister-in-law Elaine Thornton. She is survived by her son, Joseph, his wife, Col. Linda Thierauf USAF, and her two beloved granddaughters, Ella and Nora, of Arlington, Va.; her sister-in-law Margaret (Mim) Thornton of South Portland, her brother, Thomas J. Thornton, Jr. of South Portland, her sister, Jane and Jane’s husband Al (Butch) Giardi of Salem, Mass.; a niece and five nephews whom she loved dearly; along with five grand-nephews and two grand-nieces; and cousins and extended family with whom she remained close throughout her life. She loved life and leaves behind a legacy of selfless devotion to friends and family.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 29, 2024 at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, followed by an 11 a.m. Memorial Mass at St. Maximilian Kolbe, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough. To view Anne’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.