Individual Details

Death

Nicka Thompson Thornton, 66, of Greensboro, passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at her home following a courageous battle against breast cancer. She was born April 12, 1946 in Portsmouth, Virginia, daughter of Ann Summers Thompson and Dr. Arch Thompson. After growing up in Elkins, West Virginia, she attended Wake Forest University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Psychology in 1968. She married her husband Thomas Thornton, Jr. in 1967 and worked to support them while he finished Wake Forrest Law School. In 1969, Nicka and Tom moved to Greensboro, North Carolina to settle down and raise their children. Nicka, over all things in her life, valued nurturing her family and friends. Her other loves included her passion for reading, playing tennis, golf, and challenging her brilliant mind with puzzles. A huge part of her life was giving back to the community and she volunteered and held leadership roles in many different organizations throughout her life while remaining a devoted wife and mother. With her children raised, she looked for a new challenge for ways to give to others and enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and obtained Masters in Counseling, in 1993. Shortly after graduation she proudly served as the Director of Career Services at Greensboro College for eleven years and loved and cherished assisting and counseling students in finding jobs and guiding them in their career paths. She touched the lives of countless young people and left a profound impact on the college, where she was known to the students simply as "mom." Nicka had the gift of touching the life of everyone she encountered; all of whom felt they were Nicka's best friend because of her warmth, sincerity, compassion and generous spirit. She cherished everyone and had endless groups of friends; including-- her two Garden Clubs, bridge clubs, book clubs, the "Hill-lillies", the "Deaconesses", her golf and tennis groups, church committees; and especially her "play group."  In addition to being a devoted wife and caregiver to her dear husband Tom, Nicka's most cherished role in life was as a mother and a "Mimi" and "Nana". She is also survived by her son, Thomas Spruill Thornton, III, and wife Wendy (grandkids: Ruby and Georgia) of Birmingham, Alabama, daughter Shelby Thornton Patrick, and husband Chip (grandkids: Halsey and Thompson) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Michael Thompson Thornton, and wife Kay (grandkids Charlotte, Harry, and Kemsley Nicka Thornton due in November); and parents, Dr. and Mrs. Arch Thompson of Greensboro. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, July 20th, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. The family will receive friends in the Virginia Gilmer Room following the service. Nicka was never one who was comfortable with the spotlight or for recognition for her acts of kindness. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to: Duke Cancer Institute, 512 S. Magnum St. Suite 400, Durham, NC 27701 (Noting on memo line: In Memory of Nicka Thornton); or to the Health Ministry Team, % First Presbyterian Church, 617 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401.