Virginia Lee (McCreary) Thornton

February 25, 1921 -- December 27, 2012

SOUTH BEND -- Virginia Lee Thornton 91, of South Bend passed away peacefully on December 27th at The Sanctuary at St. Paul’s in South Bend.

She was born February 25th 1921 to the late Charles and Lucretia McCreary of South Bend. She married Edward H. Merrill on September 28th, 1940 and had three sons, Edward H. Merrill III of Clermont, FL, Christopher A. (Sandra) Merrill of Niles, MI and Marc O. Merrill, R.Ph. of Mishawaka, IN. Virginia Lee has five grandchildren, Chris, Jr., Lori, Kristin, Edward IV and Marla and nine great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren.

In October 1965 she married David Thornton who preceded her in death in August 1995. David was always a bright light and guiding inspiration in her life. They were members of the Cathedral of St. James in South Bend. She also had two sisters who preceded her in death. Agnes Marie Stroup and Carol Ann Peters.

In July 1996 Virginia Lee married Robert Peters who preceded her in death in September 2004.

Virginia Lee attended College at St. Mary’s and went to Buffalo, NY to study portraiture painting with renowned artist Laslo Szabo. Virginia Lee enjoyed making people happy with her portraits. When she closed her studio she counted that she had painted just under three thousand commissioned portraits. Her entire life was devoted to painting and sailing National-One Design boats. Virginia Lee belonged to the Hoosier Art Patrons Association, South Bend Art Center, Michiana Academy of Art, the Northern Indiana Artist Association, Chicago Art Institute, Midland Academy of Art and the Fairfield Glade Art Guild.

“ Art Alone Remains… It outlasts the throne, the coin, Tiberius” Henry Austin Dobson

Virginia Lee was at home many places including South Bend/Mishawaka, Indiana, Coldwater, Michigan, Leesburg and Hawthorn, Florida, and Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. She loved her many dogs, Princess, Samantha, Tweedie, Tinkerbell, Monet, Jeffrie, Amber and Buddy. She trained her black Great Dane “ Mannix” who took 1st place in the New York Dog show. Some of her fondest memories were of visiting her son Ed (Skipper) in Orlando, Florida, watching her Son Chris’s construction projects and Sandy’s home decorations and riding the pontoon boat on the St. Joe River with Marc and the dogs. Virginia Lee would like to extend her gratitude for her care at the Sanctuary of St. Paul’s especially Kristin, Dr. Robert Kolbe, Dr. Kevin Danehy and Dr. Michael O’Connell.

Visitation will be held at the McGann Hay Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 (enter off Cherry Rd), from 6pm till 8pm Friday December 28th with the funeral service Saturday 11am at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. James, 117 North Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, Indiana 46601-1507. Memorial donations may be made to the: St. James Cathedral, 117 N. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601.

To leave the family an online condolence or for directions please visit our website at: www.mcgannhay.com

Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com

07/21/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137857238/virginia-lee-thornton