Donna Jean (Hawkins) Thorp
Donna Jean (Hawkins) Thorp, 79 of Kempton passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Ascension – St. Vincent in Kokomo. Jean was born in Tipton on January 11, 1943 to Von Morris & Wilma Deloris (McMullan) Hawkins. On December 5, 1964 she married her high school sweetheart, James C. Thorp, at the Kempton Methodist Church. The couple celebrated 57 years of marriage together.
Jean graduated from Jefferson Township High School, Class of 1961. She continued her education at Methodist Hospital and graduated from their school of nursing in 1964. After Jean graduated from nursing school she started her long career helping and caring for people at Tipton Hospital. In 1965, after moving to Des Moines, Iowa, she was a nurse at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. In 1969 the family moved to the Chicago area. Jean took some time off then went back to the career she loved and finished her career working for Dr. Bharani M.D., an asthma-allergy specialist. She retired in 2006.
In 2007 after Jim retired they moved back home to Kempton into the house her parents built in 1962. Jean was an accomplished seamstress and also enjoyed quilting, embroidery, scrap booking and reading. She also liked making all occasion cards for family, friends and anyone who needed uplifting. She helped organize her class reunions and annual fish fry.
Jean had two little girls who lived next door who were very special friends. She enjoyed making little novelty items for them.
Survivors besides her husband Jim include her son, Jeffery W. Thorp, Carmel; one brother, Jerry Hawkins and wife Pat and their son Mike, all of Newport News, Virginia; one brother-in-law, Sam L. Thorp and wife Nancy, Carmel; a sister-in-law, Susan Jacobs and husband Steven; several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Jean was preceded in death by a brother, Richard J. Hawkins, her parents and grandparents Edith & Elza Hawkins and Mae & Charles McMullan.
A memorial service for Jean will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 at Kempton Methodist Episcopal Church with Pastor Lissa Litka presiding. Burial will follow in Kempton Cemetery. A visitation with Jean’s family celebrating her life will be held from 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23 until the time for the memorial service. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Thorp family at this time of need.
Jean’s family would like to thank everyone for the prayers, cards and letters during her illness. A special thanks to her family for their support and to the support received from her church family. Her church is small, but mighty.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Kempton Methodist Episcopal Church, 208 S. West Street, Kempton, Indiana, 46049.
So sorry to see your loss. Jean was great fun. My condolences to the family
So sorry to hear about Jean. She was an outstanding Lady. My thoughts are with you, Jim.
Jeanne was always smiling and happy. We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Jim.
My condolences to family and friends, so sorry for your loss.
Jim. so sorry for your loss. I have such good memories of Jean. I went with Von and Wilma to her capping ceremony in nursing school.
Mr Thorp and Jeff- So sorry to hear about your loss. Your wife/mom was one of a kind. She was super to me going through my allergy shots as a kid and then she was always great when I met Jeff and we became friends and hung out for the next 20 years. My condolences to you both as you go through this tough time.
I am so sorry for your loss, you have great memories of her to keep you comforted.
I am remembering the first time Bill King spoke to Jean on the phone at the allergists office about our daughter getting a bruise after a shot – he was upset and she calmed him down and thereafter she was the only one who gave our children their allergy shots. She was an amazing nurse!
I shall remember her and Nancy talking about their shopping trips, how they loved finding the best deal! I
Jim, I am so very sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of the many years we enjoyed having Jean and her folks and Dick as our neighbors. Condolences to you and the entire family.
The Nursing Honor Guard serving North Central Indiana would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to the Thorp family. We are thankful for Donna’s strength, wisdom, soothing words, compassion, gentle healing hands and love of nursing. More than 100 nurses in North Central Indiana have been given the privilege of praying for your family as you prepare to celebrate Donna’s life.
So sorry about Jean. She was such a sweet lady. I always enjoyed talking to her. She will be missed especially by her family and all that knew her!, May God comfort you in you sorrow! Linda Sottong
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Jean when she and I were at Methodist in Nursing School! I just happened to run across this obituary
In December of 2022. I was in nursing for over 40 years and loved it as much as I have read that Jean did!