The legacy of Lorna Thornbury, a devoted educator and lifelong advocate for children and families in the Olean community, will continue to shape young lives through the newly established Lorna J. Thornbury Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
The Lorna J. Thornbury Memorial Scholarship Fund was created by her family and loved ones to honor her extraordinary life, career and lasting contributions to early childhood education and the Olean community. The fund will provide an annual scholarship support to graduating seniors of Olean High School who plan to pursue higher education in fields aligned with Thornbury’s values and passions: education, healthcare and the social sciences.
For 38 years, Thornbury served as the nursery and preschool teacher at the Olean YMCA, a profession in which she treasured dearly. Her classroom was a place of warmth and growth – a place where children were nurtured not just academically, but emotionally and socially. One of the greatest joys in her professional career was witnessing her former students return to the YMCA preschool with children of their own.
Health and community were staples in Thornbury’s life. A lifelong member of the YMCA, she enjoyed her daily weekday workouts and the community that the YMCA offered.
Above all, Thornbury’s greatest source of pride and joy was with her family. She married the love of her life, Paul M. Thornbury, in her hometown of Olean on September 1, 1961. Together, they had two children, Paul H. Thornbury and Suzy M. Broadbent.
Her two grandchildren, Alicia and Dr. Geoffrey Broadbent, were her world, and she relished the opportunity to support them in their sporting events and extracurricular activities.
CRCF Executive Director Kirk Windus said the new scholarship is a fitting tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to supporting others.
“Lorna Thornbury’s name is synonymous with early education, service and love for community,” said Windus. “We are honored to help carry her legacy forward through this scholarship fund. It will serve as a lasting reminder of how one individual’s dedication can inspire generations.”
Donations can be made to the Lorna J. Thornbury Memorial Scholarship Fund at CRCF, 301 North Union Street, or online at cattfoundation.org.
Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the Foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email [email protected], or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).
