Pamela Leibig-Thornton

Pamela Liebig-Thornton, 56, of La Grande, died at S. Lukes Hospital in Boise after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

A recitation of the rosary was held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1002 "L" Ave. Burial will follow at the Grandview Cemetery.

Pamela was born May 22, 1951, in Portland to Norman and Dorothy (Drinkwater) Liebig of Hines. As an infant she lost her first mother and was raised by her father's second wife, Marion (Sutherland) Liebig, whom she knew as her mother. She spent her childhood in the Hines area where she attended public schools.

Pamela met and fell in love with Fred Thornton Jr. in high school and they married on Jan. 27, 1968, in Weiser, Idaho. They had two daughters, Tina and Kari, while living in Hines. She moved with her husband to La Grande where she lived for the past 26 years.

In Hines she worked at the Harney County Hospital in Burns in various roles. In La Grande she worked at the Grande Ronde Hospital as well as providing in-home services for seniors. During the past several years she devoted her time and energy to her family and recently to her two grandchildren. Those who knew her say she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and daughter.

She enjoyed growing colorful flowers and feeding hummingbirds in her garden. Birds, squirrels were welcomed into her yard where her feeders were always kept full. She was an avid shopper who enjoyed giving gifts and never once missed a chance to celebrate a birthday or holiday for her family and friends.

Pamela successfully searched for and found her natural birth parents and was reunited with them in June 2000. She not only found her birth mother, Gloria Golden and birth father, Monte La Lumia, but also a sister, Monica Clancy, along with a wonderful extended family aunts, uncles and cousins. The relationship with both her families helped support and sustain her during her battle with breast cancer.

Survivors include her husband, Fred Jr.; daughters, Tina Thornton and Kari and her husband, Bob Mussatto, of La Grande; son, Andrew Vilk of Roseburg; mother, Gloria Golden of Harlingen, Texas; sister, Monica Clancy of Harlingen; step brother, Steve Russell of San Francisco; two grandchildren and many other relatives.

Pamela was preceded in death by her parents Norman, Dorothy and Marion Liebig, and Monte La Lumia; and brother, Anthony Liebig.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Lukes Hospital, MSTI, Grande Ronde Hospital or the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.