Josephine "Jo"  Boeker Thornton

 Josephine Adams Boeker Thornton passed away on January 8, 2025, in Fort Myers, Florida. She was born in Montclair, New Jersey on April 22, 1944, the third daughter of Elizabeth Anne Hollmeyer Boeker and Robert Otto Boeker.

Jo grew up in Cambridge, New York after her family moved into the brick colonial farmhouse just outside the village in the early 1950s. She graduated from Cambridge Central School in 1962 where she was class valedictorian. During her youth, Jo was involved in music and drama, and taught swimming lessons at the Hedges Lake Pavillion. She went on to graduate from Smith College in 1966 with a degree in American Studies.

After college, Jo returned to Cambridge and married David Thornton on September 16, 1966. They raised two daughters, Sarah and Hannah, and were active members of the Cambridge community. Jo supported many community projects, including the United Fund, Cambridge Public Library, and the Cambridge Band. She was especially committed to public education and was active on the committee to build the Cambridge Central School science wing in 1997. Jo was a member of the American Legion Capt. Maxson Post #634 and, together with Dave, championed efforts to raise a Permanent Honor Roll to Cambridge Veterans. She held a deep respect for American military veterans and donated her time to the maintenance and upkeep of the monuments on the Library lawn.

For more than 30 years, Jo was a beloved teacher at Hoosick Falls Central School. She grew the Advanced Placement American History program and from 1984-1996 was advisor to the National Honor Society. She was proud of her students and loved hearing about their lives and families over the years. After retiring, she continued her involvement in education as an Advanced Placement grader, consultant, and trainer for the College Board. Through her dedication and commitment to her profession, Mrs. Thornton built a lasting legacy in her community.

Jo and Dave retired to Florida full-time where Jo continued to create community in Fort Myers. She served as an elected member of the Heritage Cove Master and Building Boards, a member of the tennis team, and a volunteer tutor at a local school. In addition to coordinating Dave's musical projects behind the scenes, she organized and enthusiastically served as master of ceremonies for the community's Veterans Day programs.

During her life, Jo became an accomplished baker, seamstress, gardener, and avid reader. She enjoyed playing tennis and celebrating holidays with friends and family at the Boeker's pond and Heritage Cove. She enjoyed travel and shared a life-long love of learning with Dave, studying history first-hand on trips to Europe, Washington, D.C., and sites throughout the United States.

Above all, Jo treasured her family. She was fiercely dedicated to her husband and daughters. She adored being Nana to her grandchildren Soren, Rosemary, and Willow, taking them swimming, making chocolate chip cookies, reading together, and learning to facetime. Throughout her life, Jo displayed grace and humility, going out of her way to acknowledge the dignity and contributions of those around her. She was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

Jo was preceded in death by her mother Elizabeth Anne Boeker, father Robert Otto Boeker, and sisters Elizabeth "Betty" Boeker and Ruth Abdella. She is survived by her husband Dave, daughters Sarah (Erik Lundquist) and Hannah (Daniel Davis), grandchildren Soren Lundquist, Rosemary Davis, and Willow Davis, and her sisters Roberta Poorman (Robert Poorman) and Mary Kosky, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Cambridge Community Partnership, P.O. Box 72, Cambridge, NY 12816 or donate online at https://cambridgecommunitypartnership.org/index.php/donate/.

 

 

Class of 1962
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