PORTLAND – Elaine Hasson Thornton, 76, a lifelong resident of Portland, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, after a year-long battle with cancer.

She was born in Portland on Oct. 3, 1944, a daughter of John E. and Katherine J. (Donovan) Hasson, and grew up on Munjoy Hill. She graduated from Portland High School in 1963 and Westbrook College, now the University of New England. She was employed by Commercial Union and One Beacon Insurance companies, and later in life enjoyed working for the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, retiring in 2012. After retirement, she volunteered at the Portland Public Library’s Research Department and Merrill Auditorium.

Elaine was a devout Catholic and found great strength in her faith. She was an active member of The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, on the church’s Social Justice and Peace Committee, and as a frequent sponsor of adult converts to the faith. She was also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, a group that supports Christians in Israel. Her family finds comfort knowing that she is now in God’s hands.

Her pride and joy were her three sons, for whom she was a persistent example of work ethic, congeniality, and a sense of humor; an example they aspire to every day. Her sons recall they never went to school without a homemade lunch, and never had an event in their lives that she was not present. She was quick to her infectious laugh, slow to anger, and couldn’t keep a secret. She had an easy grace and calming presence, regardless of any adversity she faced. Those qualities drew others to her and helped her form deep friendships. She loved reading, the Home Shopping Network, and travel. She treasured her trips to Ireland and Italy.

In her youth she was often mistaken for Jackie Kennedy, and in the late 1960s, she was a model for a Casco Bank ad campaign entitled “We’re Always Thinking,” which put her likeness on everything from billboards to matchbooks.

Elaine was predeceased by her brother, John Hasson and sister, Jane Hasson. She is survived by her sons, Patrick Thornton and his fiancée Emelia of South Portland, Thomas Thornton, III and his wife Amber of San Diego, Timothy Thornton and his wife Jessica of South Portland; her brother, David Hasson of Portland, her sister, Elizabeth Plourde and her husband Robert of Hobe Sound, Fla.; three grandchildren, Jameson, Thomas IV, and Taylor; nieces and nephews, Terri Fasulo and her husband Daniel of Portland, Susan Hasson of South Portland, Katherine Hasson of South Portland, Michael Giardi of Salem, Mass., Thomas Giardi and his wife Carol of Charlotte, N.C., Joseph Napolitano and his wife Linda, of Montgomery, Ala.; and many extended family members and friends.

Visiting hours celebrating Elaine’s life will be held on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland, ME. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 at 10 a.m.

To view the life stream of the Elaine’s service, please visit http://www.Facebook.com/conroytullywalker.com To view Elaine’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

Those who wish may make contributions in Elaine’s memory to:

Cathedral of the

Immaculate Conception

307 Congress St.

Portland ME 04101

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