Anna S. Thorpe

Gilboa - Anna Nora Smith Thorpe, age 84, formerly of Burnt Hills NY passed away peacefully on Friday, March 16, 2018, at Ellis Hospital. She was the beloved wife of 64 years to William D. Thorpe who predeceased her by 23 days. Ann was the proud mother of three: Sharon Thorpe Kourtz, Nancy Thorpe Kelley, and William D. Thorpe Jr. and his wife Beth Ann Thorpe. Left to cherish her memory are grandsons: Brother Collin William Thorpe Kourtz; Earl “Tyler” Thorpe Kelley, and granddaughter, Connar Nora Kelley, and their dad, Joe Kelley.

Born November 23, 1933 in Ballston Spa, NY, Anna was the daughter of Earl C. and Nora E. Smith. She was predeceased by her elder brothers: Melvin, Sanford, and Albert Smith, in-laws William D. Thorpe Sr. and Anna VanDyke Thorpe, as well as son-in-law Paul B. Kourtz. 

She will be greatly missed by her surviving sisters-in-law, Mertie Smith (Mrs. Melvin) Ridgecrest CA; Betty E. Thorpe Sander, St. Helena CA as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Anna also leaves behind a blessed number of forever friends and relatives in Schoharie and Saratoga Counties, as well as fellow snowbirds in Dunedin, Florida.

A 1951 honor graduate of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, Anna worked in her family’s Smith Cash Store. She attended Mildred Elley Secretarial School and worked for Mayflower Movers. After marrying the love of her life, she accompanied Bill to Air Force bases in Tacoma Washington and Colorado Springs. The couple moved back to Burnt Hills where they raised their growing family. She was an active member of Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, serving on boards and committees to glorify God. Anna provided Rotary dinners, greens for the sanctuary, and cheese and candy as she continued the Smith Country Store legacy at Lord’s Acre Fairs for decades. Ann was a life member of the WSCS/UMW (United Methodist Women) and the Thursday Evening Circle. When her children were grown, she was the office manager for Schenectady Cablevision. Upon retirement, she and Bill moved back to the Thorpe Homestead where she was family historian and hostess to many gatherings. Anna loved and supported The Gilboa United Methodist Church, was Chaplain for American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post #1764, a member of Senior Citizens, the Gilboa Museum and Historical Society. Anna’s generous and faith-filled spirit brought her through many of life’s challenges, always with a smile and a “Bless your heart!”

Halfway between her two residences, arrangements are entrusted to Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC, 134 River St., Middleburgh, NY. Visitation will take place there from 5 to 7PM on Monday, March 19 with a brief vesper service at 6:30 PM.  Additional calling hours will be from 10:00-11:30 AM on Tuesday, March 20 at Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, Rte 50, Burnt Hills, preceding the 11:30 funeral there. Rev. Holly Nye (Burnt Hills UMC) and Rev. Dottie Morris (Gilboa UMC) will officiate.  Spring interment will be private in Manorkill Cemetery with and beside her beloved Bill.

In lieu of flowers, Ann’s family requests your considering  memorial contributions supporting either of her special churches, Gilboa United Methodist Church, Gilboa, NY 12076 or Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, Saratoga Road, Burnt Hills, NY 12027.

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