Deloris J. "Dee" Thornbrough, age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Covenant Living at Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL, where she lived for several years. Born July 19, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Josephine (Swartz) Atkinson of Lafayette, Indiana.

Dee grew up in the Lafayette area and was a 1948 graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School. Shortly after graduation, she married Arthur Preston Thornbrough, Jr., and moved to Fowler, Indiana, where she lived for over sixty years. Dee worked for Fowler Elementary School as a Teachers' Aide and tutor until her retirement. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. Ann's Society, the American Legion, and the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution.

Dee's pride and joy were her four daughters, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She loved children and was drawn to them everywhere she went. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed card games, crossword puzzles and needlework, and was unbeatable at Scrabble. She was accomplished at baking and cooking, and she had an amazing gift for delicious and beautiful pies.

Dee is survived by daughters DeeAnn (David) Carlson, Karen (Doug) Blocher and Barbara (James) Ambundo, her grandsons Jamey (Julianne) Roe, Jeremy (Jennifer) Roe, Joel (Detty) Wools and Kyle (Grace) Blocher, and great grandchildren, Vivienne and James Roe, Jordan, Joelle and Josie Roe, Justin and Keira Wools, and Lee and Kira Blocher, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Art, her daughter, Joyce, her granddaughter, Kenda Roe, and her siblings, two brothers and three sisters.

A celebration of Dee's life will be held at a future date.

Memorial gifts may be made to:
Covenant Living at Windsor Park Benevolent Fund, Attention Kathy Cornell, Director of Philanthropy
124 Windsor Park Drive, Carol Stream, IL, 60188
Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School Playground Fund
607 North Washington Ave, Fowler, IN, 47944