Susan M Thornton

Susan M. Thornton, 80, of Vermilion, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2026.

Born in Framingham, Massachusetts, Susan met her husband, Allen, at Boston University, and the couple traveled across the United States, living in Hawaii, Los Angeles, Kansas, and Columbus, Ohio, before discovering and settling in Vermilion, where she happily lived for more than 40 years.

Susan was employed as a freelance editor until her retirement. Thanks to her resourceful and independent nature, she worked from home long before it was common, in order to spend more time with her family.

Susan was a talented quilter and an active member of the Lorain County Piecemakers Guild. While she worked with traditional patterns, the many quilts she created were distinctively her own style, inspired by her wide range of interests from literature to family history to travel and beyond. Each quilt was given an evocative title and, with her masterful blending of color and pattern, each was an expression of her creativity and imagination.

Susan also enjoyed gardening and reading and was a force to be reckoned with when playing Jeopardy! She loved Lake Erie and was a familiar sight to many as she swam off Main Street Beach, never deterred by chilly water temperatures.

Susan is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Allen Thornton of Vermilion; her adoring daughters, Poppy Thornton and Dinah Thornton-Buckland of Columbus; her son-in-law, Bernie Buckland; and her brother, Michael Murphy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Ruth (Dorion) Murphy.

Private family services will be held.

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