Sidney Thorson, 1924 – 2017

Long time Friday Harbor resident Sidney Thorson passed away peacefully at home with family members surrounding her on August 21, 2017. She was born on October 20, 1924 in Calexico, California to her parents Mabel and Chester Moore. Her family moved to Los Angeles, California when she was a young girl. Sidney is a graduate of University High School in Los Angeles and has a four year degree she earned at UCLA and Cal Berkeley.

Sidney and her family survived the depression while her father worked for the Western Growers Association. World War II broke out while she was in college. After graduation she worked for the USO in Europe and at the Rand Corporation in Los Angeles. Then she met her husband to be George and things changed in a big way for her.  

In the early 1980’s, with the children out of the house, Sidney and George moved to Friday Harbor where they resided ever since. Among other pursuits, they became active in boating and the development of the Community Theatre.  Sidney loved living in Friday Harbor with its great natural beauty and its wonderful people.

After courting off and on for a few years, she was married to George Thorson on December 20, 1952. Sidney talked many times about how George was the love of her life. She was George’s equal partner throughout their marriage. Together she and George built a family consisting of three very active boys. George was always moving too, as he had things to do both in business and family life, there were always places he wanted to see and an unending parade of experiences to be had. Things could get a bit busy at times.

The secret to their success was Sidney’s unending support, love and guidance that often times from behind the scenes was the glue that kept it all together. She did these things without making a big deal of it and was happiest out of the limelight. She was a loving wife and a fantastic mother. Her children will tell you that they won the ‘parent sweepstakes’ because of the environment of George’s lifestyle and Sidney’s support and love for her family. Her personality, her desire to be independent and her continual good cheer were always amazing. Things were pretty good in the Thorson household.

In addition to her family life, Sidney touched the lives of people wherever she went. She was a very giving and loving woman and cared about people from all walks of life she encountered through her life. She continually looked for ways she could help others, frequently anonymously. She considered herself to be one of the luckiest people on earth and always felt very blessed. She will be missed by her family and many on the island.

Sidney is survived by her sister Marian of Denver, Colorado, her three sons Scott of Noosa Australia, Eric of Ketchum, ID Brad of Edmonds, WA. and five grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the George and Sidney Thorson Endowment Fund at the San Juan Community Theater.

A Memorial Celebration will be held at San Juan Island Yacht Club, Friday, September 22nd from 2 to 5 pm – bring appetizers to share.

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