Catherine E. Thorn

Catherine Thorn (née Jones) a longtime Dundalk resident passed peacefully to her next life on June 9, 2021 at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, MD surrounded by family. Catherine was born December 5, 1921 and would have celebrated her 100th birthday in six months. 

Catherine was born in Baltimore to Will and Anna Jones. She was pre-deceased by her parents and both brothers, Melvin and Frank Jones, as well as both sisters, Dorothy Reintzell and Marie Schehlein. 

Catherine graduated from Kenwood High School in 1938 with business skills. Over the years, she was employed as a secretary, bookkeeper, and office manager. She was active in church activities at St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Dundalk. She volunteered at the Ateaze Senior Center for many years and served on many committees and was elected to several offices within Ateaze as well as BCASCO, Baltimore County Association of Senior Center Organizations.

She enjoyed traveling and has been to Hawaii, Spain, Egypt, Mexico, the Grand Canyon, Canada, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Virginia, and many other states. She travelled with the Ateaze travel group often, going by bus anywhere they were headed. 

Catherine married John Thorn in July 1946. They raised four children on Bessemer Avenue. Her  husband, John died in 1979. Her oldest son, Charles (Chick) died in 1988. She is survived by her three children and their spouses Peggy Johnson (Craig), Marie Drayer (Dave), and John Thorn (Cheryl). Her daughter-in-law, Vinnie Thorn also survives her. She leaves behind nine grandchildren and spouses: Keith (Denise), Scott (Oana), and Todd (Rebekah) Johnson; Charles Thorn, Dawn (Hank) Mazolla; Jeffrey (Rebecca) Drayer; Kristin (Sean) Bowen, Kevin Thorn, and Laura (Warren) Adkins. She is survived by sixteen great grandchildren: Garrison, Ethan, Tyler, Becca, Sarah, and Mikella Johnson; Erik Thorn, Brianna, Paige, and Guillana Mazolla; Henry, Sam, and Eleanor Drayer; and Emerson, Zoey, and Cooper Adkins.

Catherine led a full and active life. She enjoyed playing Bingo, reading, and doing crossword puzzles. Most of all, she loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Catherine wished to be cremated and did not want a viewing. The family will receive friends and relatives at the Connelly Funeral Home in Dundalk on Tuesday, June 22 from 2-4pm for a memorial gathering. A service celebrating Catherine's life will be held at 3:30 PM.