Thornton, Ruth H. (Henderson), , 87, of Yarmouthport, died peacefully at home Sunday, November 27, 2005 surrounded by her family after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was the beloved wife of Norman M. Thornton for 59 years. Mrs. Thornton was born and raised in Mamroneck, NY. She lived most of her married life at St. Andrews School in Middletown, DE and moved to Yarmouthport in 1983, after spending many summers on Cape Cod. Ruth was an elementary school educator and a devoted mother and homemaker. She loved to sew, knit, and garden. She pursued her interest in flower arranging for which she won many awards. Ruth was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Barnstable Village where she served on the alter guild for many years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Norman Edward Thornton and his wife, M. Patterson Field of Northfield, MA, her daughter, Barbara McBride of Middlebury, VT, her sister, Margaret Billcheck of Florida and four grandchildren, Ian Scott McBride, Ryan Thornton McBride, Kate Wilson and Anne Wilson. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 3:00 PM in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Barnstable. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ruth’s name to Hospice Foundation of Cape Cod, 270 Communication Way, Hyannis, MA 02601 or to the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Alter Guild, P.O. Box 395, Barnstable, MA 02630. Arrangements by Hallett Funeral Home, South Yarmouth.