Jennifer Thornton

Jennifer Nichole Thornton, 26, of Mountain Home, died July 24, 2008, at home.

A memorial for Jennifer will take place in the near future. Cremation was under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

She was born on Aug. 2, 1981, in Mountain Home.

"She was our "special" gift from God," her family said, "and after almost 27 years filled with fun, family and friends, and tons of love, she has returned to God, where she can now run and play and talk your ear off."

The family noted that "in her short time with us, she has touched so many hearts, and with her big blue eyes and beautiful smile she would brighten up any room. Even though she never spoke a word, Jennifer had so much to say in her own special way."

After her natural father died when she was one, at the age of eight, "she was blessed with the best father she could ever have," her family said. "Kelly took her everywhere and was proud to do so. Every morning Jen woke up with her bright blue eyes and the biggest smile that would make your day. She couldn't wait for the shuttle to show up to take her to Community Partnerships for developmental therapy, which meant going to Wal-Mart.

"She loved being around people, going to the movies, shopping, getting dressed up to go out, 4-wheeling, and visiting family and friends.

"Jennifer was the true meaning of innocence and life, and appreciated the simplest pleasures," her family said. "She taught others to enjoy and accept life that same way. We're all going to miss our special Angel."

Jennifer is survived by: her mother, Patricia A. Thornton-Blake; her father for the past 18 years, Kelly W. Blake; her brother, Nicholas M. Thornton, who helped raise her in her early years and "was very protective of her and was a big part of Jen's life;" her sister Bobbi, and her husband, Brandon Wiggins, and their daughter, Onika from Bigfork, Mont.; her grandparents, Ed and Pauline Washik and Cynthia Blake from Mountain Home; and numerous aunts and uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her natural father, Russell W. Thornton, her grandparents, Wendell and Edna Thornton and Robert M. Blake, and her sister-in-law, Codi L. Thornton.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers a contribution should be sent in the memory of Jennifer Thornton to Community Partnerships of Idaho (CPI) who worked with her for 17 years. Contributions can be mailed or dropped off at CPI, 2155 W. Airbase Rd, Mountain Home, ID 83647 or taken to the Pioneer Federal Credit Union where an account has been opened.