Doris Rita Thornhill

Doris Rita Thornhill

Doris Rita Thornhill, 88, passed away Dec. 5, 2012, at West Oaks Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Austin, Texas. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Austin on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, with Father Pat Coakley officiating.

Doris was born to Wilford and Frances (Konrath) Wasserburger Sept. 15, 1924, in Montrose, Nebr., the second of ten children. She was raised in the Ardmore and Harrison areas, and graduated from high school in Harrison, Nebr. Doris went to work for the government during WWII, and met her future husband, a "fly-boy", in Omaha, Nebr. She and Paul L. "Thorny" Thornhill were married Aug. 8, 1944. To this union two cherished daughters were born.

Doris and Paul and their girls lived many places during his United States Air Force service. Two memorable stations were Hawaii; and in the Washington, D.C. area when Paul was assigned to Air Force One when Lyndon Johnson was President. When Thorny retired they chose to spend the rest of their lives in Austin, Tex.

Doris was a founding member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, where she served on the funeral committee, was an usher, a member of the Ladies Club, worker at the Gift Counter, and was chairperson of the Krafty Ladies for many years. She and Paul owned and operated Doris' Ceramic Shop in Oak Hill, Tex.

Doris enjoyed traveling, camping, playing Bunko, fishing with her husband "Thorny", gardening, feeding the wildlife in her back yard, and reading. She loved her family and spending time with them. Doris had a beautiful smile, a quick wit, and loved to play jokes and have a good laugh. She looked forward to her afternoon "toddy" and frequent phone calls from her girls. Doris loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lt. Col. Paul L. Thornhill, USAF; brothers Jerry, Leo, Ralph, and Ken Wasserburger; sisters Margaret "Midge" Lawler, Elaine "Susie" Kuhn, and infant Rosella Wasserburger. She is survived by her sister Beth Sides, of Lusk, Wyo.; brother Jim and wife Cindy Wasserburger of Aragon, NM; daughter Paulette and husband Jerry Book of Lancaster, Penn.; daughter Debi and husband Tommy Goode of Bastrop, Tex.; grandchildren Jasen Book, Shelly Sales, and Pat Goode; 4 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests donations be made to West Oaks Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, 3200 West Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78748-5706, for the loving care given to Doris; or to the Hospice of your choice.

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