Barbara Wieczorowski Thornton of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL passed away on November 10, 2025.

Born May 4, 1934 in Chicago, IL to Edward and Alice (Corbett) Wieczorowski. Barbara graduated from Evanston Township High School where she took part in extracurricular theater and acted in instructional films produced by Coronet Films. She attended Smith College on advice of her brother, Bob, who predeceased her earlier this year. She then spent her "junior year abroad" on the other side of the Great Lakes at coeducational University of Michigan, returning her senior year to graduate from Smith in 1956. Barbara enjoyed fine music and fine arts, and in 1957 she met and married a fine man, Luke Thornton, who passed away on Feb. 15, 2013. It is quite fitting that they reunited on what would have been their 68th wedding anniversary week.

Luke and Barbara raised two children: a daughter, Gwen, and a son, Tod in the Chicago suburbs of Wilmette and Evanston before retiring to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL where Barbara continued to volunteer her time and talents to such ventures as: Sawgrass Tennis League, establishing the Ponte Vedra Beach Library branch with Friends of the Library, CAPs - a curriculum to introduce Art Appreciation to elementary school children, and Talent Limited - a once a month excuse to meet for cocktails, pot-luck, and put on a show. Barbara once even threw a Ground Hog Day Party out of desperation to entertain.

Barbara is survived by her children: Gwen and Tod (Nancy Patterson), many generations of cousins, nephews, and nieces, and her lifetime of accomplishment. The family is very thankful and grateful for Tina Gidado, Massah Momorie, and Maureen Taylor for the extraordinary care they provided, as well as the years of guardianship services provided by Rita Agnew.

Many thanks also to Ponte Vedra Gardens Memory Care for the beautiful home-like environment and activities, and to Community Hospice & Palliative Care.

There is no memorial service planned at this time, but she would love it if you would raise a glass: "To a life well lived! Cheers."