Obituary of Janis Lynn Thornton

Janis Lynn Lorimer Thornton, 69, passed into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 16, 2023, in Grapevine from complications in her courageous battle with lung and bladder cancers.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on March 30,2023 at First Baptist Church Grapevine. A visitation will be held the same day at 1:00 p.m.

Janis was born in Abilene, Texas on February 16, 1954, to Hugh and Juanita (Nehring) Lorimer. The family lived in Corpus Christi during her early school years before moving to Farmers Branch, where she graduated from R.L. Turner High School. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, where she met her future husband, Bob. The two were married in Dallas on June 1, 1974.

Janis began her career in the insurance profession as a secretary at Continental Insurance in downtown Dallas. Told she lacked the qualifications to be more than a secretary, Janis was not deterred. Her supervisor and mentor, Carol McDonald, recognized her potential and guided her through the barriers in her path. Janis worked hard to earn her professional certifications and when she finally retired after 37 years, she was a senior vice president in the international risk department of Marsh & McLennon, the premier global insurance broker with some 83,000 employees.

Janis travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, Bermuda, and the United States. Janis carried her passion for travel into retirement. Her favorite location was Mazatlan, Mexico, where she spent 8 weeks each year. When she was first diagnosed with cancer, she told her oncologist she was going to Mazatlan for 2 weeks with her “Beach Girls,” and he could start her treatment when she returned.

Janis had a passion for serving others. When their only son, Zachary, died unexpectedly in 2000, Janis and Bob used their sad experience to head up the GriefShare ministry at their church for many years. Janis also was active in the Spirit Class at her church, in Bible Study Fellowship and in a book study group called the Book Divas. During the COVID epidemic, she put together Zoom meetings for these groups so they could continue meeting over the internet. She and Bob also enjoyed serving at La Vina Church in Mazatlan, which prepares hundreds of meals each week to feed the poor workers who dig through the trash at the city dump each day looking for recyclables.

When she retired, Janis also became active with the Kathee Livengood Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for women seeking career opportunities to provide better lives for their families. Donations in Jan’s memory can be made to this fund through the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce.

Janis was a consummate chef, a designer and maker of beaded jewelry, a painter, a decorator, a hostess, a shopper, and a kind and loyal friend.

Janis was preceded in death by her son, Zachary Robert Thornton, and her father, Hugh Lorimer. She is survived by her husband, Bob; her mother, Juanita, and stepdad, Ken Morgan; her brother, Les Lorimer and wife Theresa; nieces Amanda Howland, Katie Hess and Anna Meeks; step-brothers, Jeff and Scott; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, godchildren, and dear friends.