Elizabeth A. Thorpe

Elizabeth A. "Betty" Thorpe, born, July 12, 1929, in Bucyrus, OH to Eugene Sonday and Kathryn Belser Sonday. Moved at age 2 to Marion, OH where she lived for 11 years, before moving to Alliance in 1940.

She was a graduate of Alliance High School and University of Mount Union (Magna Cum Laude) and a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and Psi Kappa Omega Scholastic Honor Fraternity.

Following Mount graduation in 1950, she taught 4th grade for 3 years at the former Riverside School in Alliance.  On June 24, 1951, Betty married John H. Thorpe at Alliance United Church of Christ, Rev. Robert Diller, presiding. In June 1953, she retired from teaching to raise 4 children.  In 1970, she returned to teaching Language Arts at Marlington Middle School. In 1975 she transferred to Marlington High School where she taught English until her retirement in 1989.

During the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Betty enjoyed Jay-c-ettes by serving as their President and Secretary. She was active in Alliance Republican Club as their Secretary and recipient of Republican of the Year Award.

Betty was also an active member of Christ United Methodist Church as well as The Alliance Area Concert Association for whom she served as Corresponding Secretary. She served in various offices and committees for Coterie, Alliance Woman’s Club, Postscript, and Qui Vive Clubs and also originally served as secretary on Board of Friends of Rodman Public Library.

Others interests were reading, using the computer and I-pad for researching, entertainment, as well as for creating greeting cards, playing bridge with many groups, and attending University of Mount Union’s programs, lectures and musical events.  Elizabeth also enjoyed watching professional sports on TV, but was especially an avid follower of Mount’s football team.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, John H. Thorpe, who passed on January 16, 1997; a sister, Sheila (Peggy) (Ed) Pohjala; brothers-in-law, James and Jerry (Jean) Thorpe; and a  sister-in law, Cecilia (Kirby) Laughlin.

Survivors include a son, James E. (Peggy) Thorpe of Avon Lake, OH; 3 daughters, Cathy J. (Ronald) Brown of Louisville, OH, Carol J. (Nathaniel) Deiderich of Cumming, Ga., and Nancy E. (Fred) Oberer of Frederick, MD.; 3 granddaughters, Jamie (Jacob) Van Horn; step-granddaughter Grace, Megan (Fiancée Matt Gerber) and Jessica Oberer; and sister-in-law, Joyce Thorpe.

A funeral service will be held at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home on Thursday, December 29th at 1:00 p.m. with a visitation two hours prior.

In lieu of flowers, make memorials to University of Mount Union, 1972 Clark Ave, Alliance, OH 44601 or Christ United Methodist Church, 470 E. Broadway St., Alliance, OH 44601.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 South Union Ave Alliance, Ohio 44601.