Olga resident Veronica Thornton passed away in the evening of Friday, March 18 at the grand age of 92.

Born Veronica Ziomek June 24, 1918 she was known to many that loved her as “Babci.”

Her parents, Zofia Majdanska and John Ziomek immigrated from Poland as teenagers, met married and settled in New Jersey. After high School Veronica began on the job training with one the few women doctors of the time and was employed as her nurse for many years. In 1942 she married Al Podlipny. Together until his passing, they helped run the Passaic Boys Club Summer Camp Ocawasin in West Milford N.J for over 20 years. She was the camp nurse and surrogate mom to many campers. They had two children, Alexandra who preceded her in death in 1979, and Ginny Bivaletz of Orcas Island, WA.

Later in life, while working at St. Mary’s Hospitol in Passiac, N.J she met her future husband Arthur Thornton. They enjoyed 13 wonderful years of marriage, traveling and companionship. The legacy of which still exists in many scrap books filled with pictures from the Great Wall of China to the Sydney Opera House.

Veronica moved to Orcas Island in 1996 and spent much of her time sewing, writing letters, baking and being a warm lap for her cat. She greatly enjoyed being the “cake lady” at the Senior Center, where she would muster up bakers to ensure a nice spread for the monthly Birthday celebrations. She could be found days before putting together decorations that would showcase something special about that month, and going through her well used cookbook to find just the right cake.

She was a team player, a caring and sharing person always willing to lend a hand. She was also one of the most “game” people you would ever meet. Whether it was putting on a phony nose ring for a joke Christmas Card or trying sushi for the first time at almost 90.

Survived by daughter and son in law Ginny & Bob, grandson “Bobby,” nephews Joe and Tom Ziomek and children Jesse and Jamie, Arthur’s three sons and their wonderful families, Ed and Lisa, Alan and Terri and Don and Marge. There will be a mass said in her memory at Saint Francis Church in Eastsound.

Thanks for always being such a good sport Babci, you will be missed. Safe journeys.

Submitted by Veronica Thornton’s family.