Constance “Connie” Adrienne Thorne, age 93, passed away on January 10, 2025, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She was born on December 8, 1931, in Sault Ste. Marie to John and Ceceila (Pellow) Crawford.
Connie entered the military, after graduation, where she served her country for two years. While in the military she was assigned to special services where she sang with some of the biggest stars of her day such as Bob Hope and Dean Martin and even escorted Stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. Also, while stationed overseas, Connie adopted her two oldest sons Steven and Daniel from Germany. After her military tour ended Connie returned to Sault Ste. Marie where she began work as a secretary. She was then reintroduced to Bill Thorne and they began their courtship and eventually married in 1967 and were married forty-eight years until Bill’s death in 2015. In 1968 and 1969 Bill and Connie had two more sons, Ed and John. Connie had many secretarial jobs over her lifetime and worked for John Lambros for many years. Connie said that “the time she spent working for John was her most fulfilling and happiest of her career.”
Connie was known for her laugh, sense of humor and “telling it the way it was”. She was often lovingly referred to as “Lucy” as in Lucille Ball by her family. She also loved to be with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her later years, she enjoyed going to the Shunk Family cabin in Barbeau, Michigan, with her son John for barbeques and boat rides. She loved traveling the country with her son Dan to visit some of the National Parks. She enjoyed her weekly Saturday lunch outings and treasure hunting with her son Ed. Connie was an avid Detroit Red Wings fan and hardly ever missed a game. She loved listening to her brother Bill Crawford, as the voice of the Laker Superior Laker’s. Some of her favorite things were Pepsi, cinnamon donut holes and Hershey Chocolate Bars. So much so that on her 90th birthday she was gifted with 90 bars of chocolate. Along with many more favorite things, one of her most favorite things was going to the casino with her closest friend, Marsha Ewing.
Connie is survived by her sons, Daniel (Kris) Thorne, John (Marcey) Thorne and Ed (Michael) Thorne; grandchildren; Chelsey (CJ) Weber, Harrison (Ashley) Thorne, Julie (Wally) Bazinau, Rebecca (Beth) Veit; great-grandchildren, Knox Weber, Tatum Weber, Aspen Thorne, Atlas Thorne, Taylor Pitko, Eden Veit, Elijah Veit, Josie Veit, Jonah Veit, and Charlotte Bluemer; brother, Bill (JoAnn) Crawford, sister, Marion Crawford; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Connie was preceded in death by her husband, William Thorne; daughter; Rebecca Thorne; son, Steven Hollingsworth; parents; John and Cecilia Crawford; and brother, Ford Crawford.
Funeral services will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Constance’s honor to Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie MI 49783.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
