DOVER - "Dolly" Clara Naomi Thornton of Dover, passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2016 while cruising around South America,. She was 99. Dolly was born, May 24, 1916 in Elkton, Maryland to the late John W. McCool and Etta Jones McCool. She taught in the Appoquimink School District for 17 years, retiring in 1976. Mrs. Thornton was very active in her community and her church throughout her life. About the time of her retirement from full time teaching, Dolly became affiliated with the Laubauch Method of teaching Adult Reading, and worked with the Literacy Volunteers of America. As a volunteer, Dolly continued her travels above and below the canal, tutoring other volunteers to work with non-reading adults. She coached many volunteers, but her most memorable and rewarding were those incarcerated in the Delaware Correctional Facility in Smyrna. Dolly was active in the Odessa Women's club; she co-chaired Christmas in Odessa and she served on the Scholarship Committee. She and her husband - were active in the Cotillion Club, the revival of the Everett Theater, and Rotary activities. She initiated a program called "Story Time Hour" at the Middletown Library. Dolly also served on the Board of the Bethesda Methodist Church, Middletown. She had a life-long love of Bridge and played socially as well as Duplicate. She belonged to many Bridge Clubs throughout her life. Dolly married Eugene Thornton, Junior of Warton, Md. on January 18, 1939 and after his passing in 1996, she moved to Westminster Village in Dover where she resumed her role as an active participant in the community. At Westminster Village, Dolly served on the Resident's Council as Vice President. In addition to many other activities, she was chair of Programs, arranging for more than 53 programs in one year. She also headed the Decoration Committee. She joined her third Federated Woman's Club when she was invited to become a member of the Dover Century Club. Soon after joining, she chaired the youth leadership program known as C.L.E.W for two years. She also chaired the Sponsorship Committee Dolly joined the Alliance Family Fellowship (a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Dover) and hosted Cell Group Meetings in her apartment. She chaired a sub-committee for the Southern Delaware American Heart Association's Go Red for Women where she introduced both the Red Hat Society and Wilmington University to the event. Dolly was a founding member of the Event's Circle of Red. Dolly belonged to the Red Hot Mama chapter of the Red Hat Society. She is survived by her daughters, Louise Bolden Thornton Burns of Aiken, S.C., and Colonel Eugenia Thornton USA (Retired) of Frederica and their spouses. Her middle daughter, Sally, predeceased her in 2010. Dolly had three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A Bon Voyage Celebration of Dolly's long life, well lived, will be held beginning at 12 p.m. at the Community Center, Westminster Village Campus, 191 Westminster Drive, Dover, DE 19904 on Saturday, March 12, 2016 followed by a Memorial Gathering. Interment will be at Bethel Cemetery, Chesapeake City, Md. Either flowers or a donation to the Southern Delaware Heart or Stroke Association, the Central Delaware March to 100 Foundation, Alliance Family Fellowship or the Westminster Village Chartable Care Fund will be welcomed. Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.