Obituary of Eileen Thornton

Eileen Patricia Thornton, Women's Activist, Councilwoman and Community Volunteer, Dies at 75 Lifelong Hamiltonian, Eileen Patricia Thornton, died on June 2nd at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital - Hamilton, with several of her dearest friends by her side. She was 75. Predeceased by her parents, William R. and Helen (Shea) Thornton, and her beloved Carin Terrier, Hamilton, she leaves behind her devoted five year old Carin Terrier, Grady O'Shea, and a family of loving and heartbroken friends that are simply too numerous to list. Ms. Thornton believed that a person can live a very purposeful life by being involved in public service and community organizations. Her dedicated life affected many social issues including the women's rights movement, national and local politics, community enrichment, animal advocacy and charitable giving. A graduate of Cathedral High School, she received her Bachelor of Science from Rider College where she studied commerce, journalism and business. Her hard work and enthusiasm led to an induction into the national honorary journalism fraternity, Delta Epsilon Delta. Upon graduation she began her career as a public relations assistant for the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce in 1966. Two years later she accepted a position as the assistant to the Director at Lenox China in Trenton. Eventually she moved on to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Industry's office as the public information officer. A year later, she transferred to the Division of Travel and Tourism where she remained as a project specialist for almost two decades. One of her most significant accomplishments was her contribution to the creation of the slogan "New Jersey and You: Perfect Together", which helped tourism climb to New Jersey's second ranking industry. When the division was privatized to a commission, Ms. Thornton joined the Department of Environmental Protection where she finished her career as a project specialist in the commissioner's communications office. Shortly after her retirement, Governor Christie appointed her the sole public member of the New Jersey Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, where she proudly served as a volunteer until her death. An early supporter of the women's movement, she was elected President of the National Women's Equity Action League. She fought for and was instrumental in the success of the passage of Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments in 1972, which provided equality in sports and other opportunities for girls and women. Ms. Thornton was a stalwart member of the Women's Political Caucus, a bipartisan organization that supports the election and appointment of women at all levels and branches of government. She was elected to the national board for two years and served as Vice Chairperson of its Democratic Task Force. She also served as the President of the New Jersey Chapter. A mentor for many women of all ages and backgrounds, she exchanged her financial support, time and expertise, for the joy of witnessing the advancement of women. A lifetime active Democrat, she was elected to the Hamilton Township Council in 2002, and served until 2005, with the position of President in 2004. At the time of her death she was completing her fourth consecutive year as President of the Hamilton Township Democrat Club. She also was appointed to the Hamilton Township Economic Development Advisory Commission for twelve years, and for a period served as vice chair. A tireless member of the Communications Workers of America, Local 1036, she actively participated in its Get-Out-The-Vote campaigns and served as vice president of the retiree committee. Always active in many local community organizations, she volunteered and raised funds for many worthy causes including but not limited to Tender Hearts, Interfaith Caregivers of Mercer County, the Mercer County Chapter of the Sunshine Foundation, and the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey. Her enormous pride in her Irish heritage also led her to be involved in a variety of Gaelic organizations including the Trenton Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Sons and Daughters of Erin. A longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows- St. Anthony Parish, located at 3816 East State Street Extension, Hamilton New Jersey 08619, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held there on Friday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m. A Rite of Reception will take place at the church at 9:15 a.m., and friends may gather and pay their last respects from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery on Cedar Lane in Hamilton Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Mercer County Chapter of the Sunshine Foundation, P.O. Box 55130, Trenton, NJ 08638 or The Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, 40 Brace Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034, are appreciated.