Rowena Mae Thornton, aged 94 of San Rafael, CA passed away on March 31, 2016. Born in San Francisco to parents Bertha Ann and Frank Skinner, the eldest of 9 children. She married William "Howard" Thornton in 1952 and made their home in San Rafael where they raised three children. Her family was the most important thing in her life, she was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.The matriarch of the family, she loved being surrounded by family and friends & would gather family members for holidays, birthdays and special occasions. Rowena volunteered at Sunny Hills Bargain Box Thrift store in the late '70s and eventually started working full time retiring at the age of 78. She was a member of ABWA and volunteered at many of her children's school and sports functions. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1987 and is survived by her 3 children: Debbie Wesley Hayward CA, Robin Schaefer (Jim) Petaluma CA & Jeffrey Thornton Santa Rosa CA. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Christian Wesley Ft. Lauderdale FL, Tanya Wesley Sacramento CA, Emily (Schaefer) Helton (Dan) Roseville CA, Elizabeth Schaefer Petaluma CA, Mary Thornton Seattle WA, Kevin Thornton Rohnert Park CA, Rebecca Thornton Chicago IL. A memorial celebration will be held in her honor on Sunday, April 24th at 2:00pm- Oakmont East Recreation Center, 7902 Oakmont Dr, Santa Rosa In lieu of flowers gifts can be made to the charity of your choice.