Barbara M. Thornton

Barbara Lois Melin Thornton, 83, died in her home after a long struggle with Alzheimers Disease on Monday, March 10, 2014 in Flemington, NJ. She was born on August 30, 1930 in Hackensack, NJ to Wilbur and Dorothy Melin.

In 1951, she married John William Thornton; the marriage ended in divorce. Barbara spent many happy years in the company of Robert J. Butcher of Morrisville, PA, who survives her; along with three children and their spouses; Stephen and Kim Thornton of NC, Lynn and Robert Szczeck of Flemington, NJ and Susan and Sean Eaton of Georgia. Barbara is also survived by her brother, Jeffrey and his wife Sandra Melin of Indiana. Barbara is the proud grandmother of Jason McDowell of Missouri, Jessica and Bennie Oakes of NC, Joshua and Gregory Thornton of NC, Kenneth and Lisa Szczeck of Hamilton, NJ, Alison and Jonathan Smigelsky of Phillipsburg, NJ, Vicky and Jason Dumont of Milford, NJ, Kevin Stehr and his fiance Sara Schupsky of Flemington, NJ, Areille and Sinead Eaton, and Brianna Serridge of Georgia. Barbara also had a dozen great-grandchildren.

Barbara taught mathematics at Hunterdon Central Regional High School for 21 years, retiring in 1991 after achieving acclaim as HCRHS’s first recipient of the Governor’s Teacher of the Year award. She earned her graduate degree in Mathematics from TCNJ, and a second graduate degree in Human Development from Fairleigh Dickinson. She was a member of NJEA and served in local as well as state positions within the organization. She was also a member of the Flemington Presbyterian Church.

Funeral service will be at 7:30 pm, Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main St., Flemington, NJ 08822. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, from 2 to 4 pm and from 6 until the time of service at the funeral home. All are welcomed. The interment will be private.

Memorial donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001.