1946 – 2015

SOUTH PORTLAND — Carol Garrett Thorne, 68, of South Portland, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 3, with her family by her side.

Carol was born in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 15, 1946, to Maurice and Juanita (Duncan) Garrett. Carol grew up in Texas, graduating from Cooper High School in Abilene in 1964.

She married Philip Thorne in September 1967 and moved to South Portland. She and Phil raised their two children in South Portland and Auburn.

Carol was active in many volunteer efforts while living in Auburn, including elementary school PTOs and Auburn Suburban Little League Woman’s Auxiliary. She began selling real estate in 1986 until her retirement in December 2013, working for various companies in Auburn and greater Portland.

The family relocated back to South Portland in 1992. Carol served on the South Portland Planning Board from 1996 to 2011, chairing in 1999, 2002 and 2009. Carol cared deeply for her “adopted” home town, serving on the Comprehensive Planning Committee.

Carol was extremely giving. She volunteered tireless hours to Sweetser Children’s Services (later Sweetser). She served on Sweetser’s board as a corporator, and on the Development Committee. She worked on Sweetser’s “Sold on Kids Benefit Auction” for 22 years, many of those as chair. Carol was chair of this year’s auction at the time of her passing. She was passionate about helping the young people that Sweetser served.

She was a member of the First Congregational Church UCC and co-chaired the luncheon for the Holy Daze Bazaar with her daughter for 18 years. Carol was known for her amazing haddock chowder for which many would comment they attended the luncheon. She also served as an usher at FCCUCC.

Most important, she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She never missed her son’s football games, baseball games or track meets. She took great pride in watching her granddaughters sing at church, play in band concerts, play in basketball games and compete in track meets. She rarely missed a South Portland High School track meet or girls’ home basketball game. She greatly enjoyed watching her grandson play hockey and lacrosse. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed having her family over for dinner whenever possible.

Carol is survived by her husband of 47 years, Phil; daughter, Judy Magnuson and her husband, Curt; granddaughters Lauren and Erica, all of South Portland; son, David Thorne and his son, CJ, of Biddeford; sister, Judy Nodecker of Bertram, Texas; nephews, Mike Black and Jeff Black of Texas; brother-in-law, Bill Thorne and his wife, Kim, of New Gloucester; nephews, Ben Thorne of San Francisco, Calif., and Matt Thorne of Westbrook, as well as countless friends.

She was predeceased by her parents; and infant son, James Alan.

Online condolences may be shared at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.