I didn't know Lynn all that well in high school, but we became pretty good friends at SIUE. Her diabetes caused her to increasingly lose her eyesight, and DORS (which had a different name back then) hired me to read texts to her and write her answers on tests some times. She was so cheerful, kind, and smart.
At SIUE, we both took Math together (called calculus, but I doubt it was) and while I read the material to her, she tutored me in the math.
She was one of my bridesmaids in my wedding.
I am reminded that we had the same birthday only a year apart and it was fun to tell her Happy Birthday because then she would reply the same.
She died eventually from the diabetes. The obituary I have says she died at an area hospital, Nov. 2, 1976, age 25.
The obituary I have for Lynn Thorne-Thomsen from the Telegraph is very brief.
I have the date Nov. 2, 1976 writen on the piece of paper, so that is probably her death date.
The obituary says:
"Miss Lynn Thorne-Thomsen, 25, at Godfrey, died at 10:19 p.m. Tuesday at an area hospital.
"She attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
"Surviving are her parents, Mt. and Mrs. Thomas Thorne-Thomsen of Godfrey; a brother, John at home; her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Snakenberg of Laguna Hills, Calif., and Mr. and Mrs. F. Thorne-Thomsen of Shreveport, La.
"A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Twelfth Street Presbyterian Church by the Rev. W. Russell Shaw.
"Recording for the Blind, 215 E. 58th St., New York, N.Y., 10022, has been designated as a memorial."
Another article about Lynn that I have from the Alton Evening Telegraph is from Tuesday, June 2, 1970, by Ande Yakstis. It has fine photos of Lynn and Coach Sterrett.
"Alton coach saves girl with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation"
"Alton High basketball coach Ralph Sterrett, who teaches first aid to high school students, applied his techniques in a life and death drama Sunday, to a near-drowned girl.
"Sterrett's swift application of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation brought consciousness back to Lynn Thorne-Thomsen who was carried unconscious from the bottom of the swimming pool at River-Aire subdivision in Godfrey.
"Miss Thorne-Thomsen, an 18-year old high school senior, is recuperating today in the intensive care unit of Alton Memorial Hospital.
"The high school coach was sitting alongside the pool, watching his daughter swim, when he saw lifeguard Jerry Grover stand erect and dive to the bottom of the pool.
"'I saw the lifeguard carry a girl out of the pool,' Sterrett related today. 'She had stopped breathing.'
"Sterrett, who instructs students in the principles of health and first aid, applied his classroom techniques in a minute-to-minute effort to save Miss Thorne-Thomsen who lay unconscious along side the pool.
"Assisted by Grover and other volunteers, Sterrett used artificial respiration and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in the life saving attempt.
"'Once we thought we had lost her,' Sterrett said. 'I got worried. Then she started to breathe again. We were all so relieved. '
"Miss Thorne-Thomsen was rushed by ambulance to Alton Memorial Hospital and remains in the intensive care unit today.
"'She is going to be all right,' Mrs. Thorne-Thomsen said today. 'We are thankful to Mr. Sterrett, doctors and all those who saved her life.'
"Miss Thorne-Thomsen won't be with the graduating class tonight when they receive their diplomas.
"Alton High principal Harold Matthews, however told the Telegraph that the school district administration will personally see that she receives her diploma."
As I mentioned on my posted profile, I first spotted Lynn eating alone in the cafeteria. Knowing what it is like to be a loner myself, I sat next to Lynn, and we became friends. We loved listening to Andy Williams music together at her home. (He was her favorite.) Either she or her mother told me that her (and her brother's) lifespan would be short. My elderly mother recently reminded me that I had invited Lynn to my only party. My mother called me the day Lynn passed, and I shall never forget her. As an addendum to Ruth's comment, how could I forget that Lynn was in your wedding party?! I guess I was too nervous being best man. (I think I introduced you two to each other.) What a lovely person Lynn was. My life is richer for having briefly known her as a good friend.
Ruth E Mitchell (Bell)
I didn't know Lynn all that well in high school, but we became pretty good friends at SIUE. Her diabetes caused her to increasingly lose her eyesight, and DORS (which had a different name back then) hired me to read texts to her and write her answers on tests some times. She was so cheerful, kind, and smart.At SIUE, we both took Math together (called calculus, but I doubt it was) and while I read the material to her, she tutored me in the math.
She was one of my bridesmaids in my wedding.
I am reminded that we had the same birthday only a year apart and it was fun to tell her Happy Birthday because then she would reply the same.
She died eventually from the diabetes. The obituary I have says she died at an area hospital, Nov. 2, 1976, age 25.
Her brother John lived longer, but also died.
Ruth E. Bell
Ruth E Mitchell (Bell)
The obituary I have for Lynn Thorne-Thomsen from the Telegraph is very brief. I have the date Nov. 2, 1976 writen on the piece of paper, so that is probably her death date. The obituary says: "Miss Lynn Thorne-Thomsen, 25, at Godfrey, died at 10:19 p.m. Tuesday at an area hospital. "She attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. "Surviving are her parents, Mt. and Mrs. Thomas Thorne-Thomsen of Godfrey; a brother, John at home; her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Snakenberg of Laguna Hills, Calif., and Mr. and Mrs. F. Thorne-Thomsen of Shreveport, La. "A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Twelfth Street Presbyterian Church by the Rev. W. Russell Shaw. "Recording for the Blind, 215 E. 58th St., New York, N.Y., 10022, has been designated as a memorial."Ruth E Mitchell (Bell)
Another article about Lynn that I have from the Alton Evening Telegraph is from Tuesday, June 2, 1970, by Ande Yakstis. It has fine photos of Lynn and Coach Sterrett. "Alton coach saves girl with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation" "Alton High basketball coach Ralph Sterrett, who teaches first aid to high school students, applied his techniques in a life and death drama Sunday, to a near-drowned girl. "Sterrett's swift application of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation brought consciousness back to Lynn Thorne-Thomsen who was carried unconscious from the bottom of the swimming pool at River-Aire subdivision in Godfrey. "Miss Thorne-Thomsen, an 18-year old high school senior, is recuperating today in the intensive care unit of Alton Memorial Hospital. "The high school coach was sitting alongside the pool, watching his daughter swim, when he saw lifeguard Jerry Grover stand erect and dive to the bottom of the pool. "'I saw the lifeguard carry a girl out of the pool,' Sterrett related today. 'She had stopped breathing.' "Sterrett, who instructs students in the principles of health and first aid, applied his classroom techniques in a minute-to-minute effort to save Miss Thorne-Thomsen who lay unconscious along side the pool. "Assisted by Grover and other volunteers, Sterrett used artificial respiration and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in the life saving attempt. "'Once we thought we had lost her,' Sterrett said. 'I got worried. Then she started to breathe again. We were all so relieved. ' "Miss Thorne-Thomsen was rushed by ambulance to Alton Memorial Hospital and remains in the intensive care unit today. "'She is going to be all right,' Mrs. Thorne-Thomsen said today. 'We are thankful to Mr. Sterrett, doctors and all those who saved her life.' "Miss Thorne-Thomsen won't be with the graduating class tonight when they receive their diplomas. "Alton High principal Harold Matthews, however told the Telegraph that the school district administration will personally see that she receives her diploma."Allen Jones
RIP!
Steve F Finley
As I mentioned on my posted profile, I first spotted Lynn eating alone in the cafeteria. Knowing what it is like to be a loner myself, I sat next to Lynn, and we became friends. We loved listening to Andy Williams music together at her home. (He was her favorite.) Either she or her mother told me that her (and her brother's) lifespan would be short. My elderly mother recently reminded me that I had invited Lynn to my only party. My mother called me the day Lynn passed, and I shall never forget her. As an addendum to Ruth's comment, how could I forget that Lynn was in your wedding party?! I guess I was too nervous being best man. (I think I introduced you two to each other.) What a lovely person Lynn was. My life is richer for having briefly known her as a good friend.