Obituary of Gatha L Thorpe

Gatha L. Thorpe, 83, of Harbor St., Conneaut, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2013 at UPMC-Hamot, with loved ones by her side. She was born July 10, 1929 in Hackers Valley, West Virginia, to the late William Pudder and the late Lula (Woods) Pudder Cowger. Gatha was a wonderful baker, seamstress, artist, poet and bowler. She made beautiful cakes and clothing for her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Thorpe won various awards for her writings and drawings and many trophies for her high bowling scores. She volunteered as a Pink Lady at Brown Memorial Hospital for many years. Gatha loved to play Yahtzee and Wheel of Fortune. She enjoyed desserts, family gatherings and talking to people and making them laugh. But, more than anything, she was a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many. Mrs. Thorpe attended various churches over the years, and most recently attended the First Baptist Church in Conneaut. She is survived by her daughters, Donna (Lanny) Arcaro and Vanessa (Kenneth) Wunsch of Saybrook; daughter-in-laws, Tessa Thorpe and Chris Thorpe of Conneaut; sisters, Norma Jean Brown and Jenna Hoffman; brothers, Ronald, Freeman and Leroy Pudder; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and a many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her "self-adopted daughter" Bonnie Frano and her beloved kitty, "Tommy." She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Arthur E. Thorpe in 1997; her sons, Edward R. in 2009 and Arthur W. in 2011; her grandson, Jaime in 1976; her brother, Franklin Pudder; and her sister, Delma Thorpe. Memorial services will be held, Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 2 PM at First Baptist Church of Conneaut, 370 State St., with Brian Ewig, Interim Pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the THOMPSON-SMITH-NESBITT FUNERAL HOME, 345 MAIN ST., CONNEAUT.