Sharon (Terpening) Thornton

Sharon Thornton of Harbor Springs, Michigan died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Pontiac, Michigan on February 20, 1940 to George Dewey and Pauline Garver Terpening. Her great-grandparents (the Terpenings and Garvers) homesteaded north of Harbor Springs in 1879, giving Sharon strong roots in her Northern Michigan community. She graduated from Harbor Springs High School in 1958 and raised her four children in Harbor Springs alongside her mother and sister. Family meant the world to Sharon, and recently her great-grandchildren brought her so much joy.

Sharon was always busy serving others. She worked at Bay Bluffs Care Facility for many years, was involved with the Harbor Springs Historical Society and has been a devoted member of the Harbor Springs United Methodist Church. Quick to serve others, Sharon donated blood every chance she got and volunteered for many years at the Nehemiah Project. Her famous sugar cookies have graced many events from church coffee hour to weddings and she was always busy baking treats to take to her friends. Her artistic talent combined with a giving spirit led to making Ukrainian eggs to help raise money to aid people in Ukraine, building advent calendars for grandkids, great-grandkids and other children in her life, and making and sending countless cards to family and friends. On any given day, you could find Sharon at book club, Bible study, or exercising with her friends.

Sharon was preceded in death by her brother Norman Terpening, brother-in-law Richard Klimas and parents Pauline and Dewey Terpening. Her legacy lives on through her children Dawn (Cliff) Newbury, Jane (Jon) Newbury, David (Rebecca) Thornton, and Seth (Victoria) Thornton; her sister Diane Klimas and sister-in-law Linda Terpening, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many loving friends.

A memorial service will be held on Monday June 5 at 11:00 at the Harbor Springs United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 10 am until the service followed by a luncheon.  Donations in Sharon’s memory can be made to the Stained-Glass Window Fund at the Harbor Springs United Methodist church or to the Harbor Springs Historical Society.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Sharon (Terpening) Thornton, please visit our Tree Store.