Barbara G. Thornton, 86, of Woodsville, NH, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025. She was born on February 24, 1938, in Newbury, to Rex P. and Alice (Ricker) Burroughs.

Barbara graduated from Newbury High School and went on to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Vermont. She dedicated her life to education, teaching for 25 years in Vermont at various schools including Boltonville, Newbury, Shelburne, Hartford, Blue Mountain Union, Brownsville, and Peacham Elementary. She also shared her passion for teaching in Virginia, where she taught for three years in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Beyond her career, Barbara was an active member of her community. She served as a past district and local president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, was a member of the Oxbow DAR, and a devoted member of the West Newbury United Congregational Church. She was also a past member and 7th Degree Granger. Her commitment to public service extended to her role on the Newbury Board of Education for three years, where she served as budget clerk. Additionally, she held the position of chairman of the Newbury Bicentennial Committee.

In her free time, Barbara was an avid fan of car racing. She enjoyed cheering on local drivers like the Faddens, Aldriches, and Olsens, and was a devoted fan of Dale Earnhardt Sr. in the NASCAR Cup Series. She also held dear the memories of wreath making and of a special trip to Ireland with her sisters.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Donald Thornton; two infant sons, Daryl Albert Thornton and Michael Scott Thornton; a stepson, Barry Ronald Thornton; her parents; two brothers, Richard and Dale Burroughs; and a sister, Cynthia Ann Burroughs.

She is survived by her son, Phillip Thornton; a stepdaughter, Diane Wright; a brother, Roland Burroughs; four sisters: Virginia Rose Fuller, Elizabeth Fay Ackroyd, Deborah Eileen White, and Valerie Louise Massey; five grandchildren: Carrie Gentile, Marshia Provencher, Ashley Linnane, Linnea Werner, and Kenneth Thornton; great-grandchildren: Atley Epping-Thornton, Hannah Linnane, Ryan Zeno, and Cohen Provencher; and a great-great-grandchild, Bailey Brace-Delorme.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 30, from 6-8 pm at Ricker Funeral Home and Cremation Care of Woodsville, 1 Birch St., Woodsville, NH. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 1, at 3:00 pm at the West Newbury Congregational Church, Tyler Farm Rd. West Newbury, VT.  The interment will be in the spring on Friday May 23, 2025, at 1PM at Town House Cemetery, Scotch Hollow Rd, Newbury Center, VT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara's memory to West Newbury United Congregational Church, Tyler Farm Rd. West Newbury, VT.  The family would like to thank the Grafton County Nursing Home for their loving care.