Helen Thornton

Mrs. Helen Marie Thornton, of Belton, Missouri, was born September 7, 1935 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of John Edward and Margaret Meta (Messmer) O'Neill. She departed this life Friday, June 20, 2008, at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City at the age of 72 years, 9 months and 13 days.
On February 15, 1953, Helen was united in marriage to George Edward Thornton in Belton, Missouri.
Helen was a homemaker. Earlier she had been employed as a garment cutter for the Grace Company making baby clothes for many different department stores. Later, Helen was a secretary for the General Motors ASEP Program, where her husband was the instructor for the program, at the Longview Community College, Lee's Summit, Missouri. She became a mother figure for many of the students and was known as ""Mother ASEP"". Helen loved to camp and travel in her RV.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, George Thornton of the home; two sons, Bret Thornton of the home and Pat Thornton and wife Brenda, Belton, Missouri; three grandchildren, Garett, Alex, Kellan; a sister, Ruth Ann Bohanan, Warsaw, Missouri; three nieces; three nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with burial in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
Family suggests memorials to KC Hospice or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missoouri.