Anne Thornton Fay
Obituary
Anne Thornton Fay, 90, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2023 surrounded by family and caregivers.
Born May 13, 1933, to the late Elizabeth Breen and Ellis Leland Thornton, Anne is survived by her children Kate (AJ Grant), Meg, Tom (Kathleen Fay), Jim (Carm Fay), and John (Lydia Olander), her grandchildren Anne, Emily, Thor, Drake, Patrick, Izzy and Amelia, and her sisters Marcia Dawson and Mary Doherty.
Anne, a 5th generation Californian, lived most of her life in the Golden State. Raised in the towns of Hollister, Redding, and Berkeley, she attended UC Berkeley where she earned a degree in English.
Anne's career spanned many years, beginning with a job in the Dean's office at Berkeley, a longtime role as a wife and mother, raising her 5 children in the communities of Berkeley and Piedmont, and ending back at Berkeley in a role as the Graduate Political Science Department Administrator. Her love of and dedication to this role, as a student recruiter and a liaison to professors, enriched the lives of countless students and faculty members.
Anne also found joy as an avid traveler, with a particular fondness for Great Britain. Her connection to the United Kingdom deepened as her youngest son spent his first year of college at St Andrews in Scotland. Anne and her children cherished numerous trips to England, Ireland, and Scotland over the years, culminating in a memorable celebration of her 85th birthday in the South of England with her daughter, Kate.
Anne's faith was steadfast. She attended Sunday Mass regularly, making her known as the "Cookie Lady" in Berkeley, where she lovingly provided cookies for the less fortunate each Sunday at Church.
Anne leaves behind a legacy of strength, love, and dedication. Her warmth and grace will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. A gravesite blessing will be held November 3, 2023 at 11:00 am at the San Juan Bautista Cemetery.
Published in Hollister Free Lance · October 2, 2023