Carolyn J. (Pettit) Thornton

Carolyn J. Thornton, 76, of East Moline, formerly of Geneseo, passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at Genesis Medical Center – Illini Campus, in Silvis, IL. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 3, 2018, at St. Malachy Catholic Church. Father Michael Pakula will celebrate. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 2, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Geneseo Chapel. Cremation rites have been accorded to follow the Funeral Mass. A private inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Carolyn Thornton Memorial Fund.

Carolyn was born on May 7, 1942, the daughter of Robert Pettit, Sr. and Hazel (Stablein) Pettit, in Moline, Illinois. She was a graduate of Alleman High School with the class of 1960 and Marycrest College with a bachelor degree in education. Carolyn was united in marriage to James E. Thornton on August 10, 1963, in Moline. The couple later separated but remained close friends through their lives. James survives Carolyn, living in Rock Island. Carolyn was self-employed as a bookkeeper for several Quad City businesses, including Dan Ash Trucking Company and Francque Farms in Geneseo for over 25 years. Carolyn loved her family and friends dearly. She made each of the people she loved feel that they were her #1 on an individual basis. She was also passionate about educating herself on family genealogy and studied it closely, tracking her ancestors back many generations. Carolyn loved being outdoors and spending time in nature, and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her mother, Hazel Pettit, of Geneseo; sons, Jim (Beverly) Thornton, of Lisle, IL, Tim (Malea) Thornton, of Cary, IL, and Tom (Nicole) Thornton, of Palm Harbor, FL; daughter, Julie Remkus, of Bloomington, IL; grandchildren, Daniel (Heather) Corrie, Lexi Thornton, Savannah Remkus, Patrick Thornton, Noah Thornton, Brooke Thornton, and Cole Thornton. Carolyn is also survived by her sisters, Joyce Maher, of Geneseo, Lynda (Bob) Carroll, Geneseo, Mary (Larry) Gillespie, Geneseo, and Lori (Bob) Ward, Geneseo; brother, Robert (Ginny) Pettit, of Geneseo; and by her special friend and caregiver, Chuck Quilty, of Moline.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her father, Robert Pettit, Sr., and one grandson, Nicholas Thornton.