Doris Marie Nowak-Thornton

Doris Marie Nowak-Thornton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on September 29, 2026, at the age of 83. She was born on June 19, 1943, in Dodson Prairie, Texas, to Adolph Nowak and Julia Poydock Nowak.

Doris was a devout Catholic who loved God deeply, and her faith was an important part of her life. She carried that faith with her throughout her journey and found strength, comfort, and purpose in her relationship with God and her devotion to her family.

Doris was a woman who loved her family fiercely and without reservation. She was strong-willed, stubborn, and hardheaded when she needed to be-but underneath that determination was a heart filled with an enormous love for the people who mattered most to her.

Doris met the love of her life, Gary Lynn Thornton, while they were both working at Buddies Grocery Store in Mineral Wells, Texas. Gary was the store manager and Doris was a checker. Gary saw something special in Doris, while Doris thought he was pretty cute. That first meeting began a love story that would last 52 years.

Doris and Gary eventually moved to the Fort Worth area, making their home in Saginaw, Texas, where they built a life centered around family. Doris became a homemaker, dedicating herself to raising their two daughters and creating a loving home. Together, Doris and Gary shared a love of travel and were fortunate to travel the world with their daughters, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

As the years went by, Doris' greatest joy became watching her family grow. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and loved attending their dance recitals, sporting events, and countless other activities. She was their biggest supporter and cheerleader and loved every opportunity to be there for them.

Doris also loved traveling with her family and enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino. Anyone who knew Doris knew there wasn't a slot machine around that didn't seem to be missing a $100 bill after she left.

She was also a wonderful cook, especially during the holidays. Her family will forever remember her famous mashed potatoes and the sweet tea that somehow had a way of helping you discover a sweet tooth you didn't know you had. Her kitchen, especially around the holidays, was a place where family gathered, memories were made, and everyone knew there would be something good to eat.

Later in life, Doris worked as a bookkeeper for the family business, Alliance Civil Process, where she continued to contribute her time, determination, and hard-working spirit.

Above all else, Doris was a family woman. She loved her husband, her daughters, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren with everything she had. Her greatest legacy is the love she gave and the memories she created for the generations that follow.

Doris is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Gary Lynn Thornton; her daughters and sons-in-law, D'Ann and Les Gardner and Brandy and Chris Krolczyk; her grandchildren, Britney and her husband Daniel Leon, Bee Gardner, Jeff Gardner, Korie Krolczyk, Brody Krolczyk, and Bryden Krolczyk; and her great-grandchildren, Brynn Leon and Bryce Leon.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law Kate Nowak; her nieces and nephews, Sherry and Roger Roberson, Terry Thornton, Eric and Denise Nowak, Shan Nowak, Julie and Peter Gibson, and Tina Holder; along with her great-nieces and great-nephews, Brandon and Brooke Roberson and their son Jonathon, Lindsey and Jon Ervin and their son Braycen, Cliff and Brianna Thornton and their son John Newt, Heather Dawes, Harrison Nowak, Hayden Nowak, Seth Whitenton, Taylor Whitenton, Lauren Jackson, Kyle Nowak, Hannah Nowak, Crystal Lewis, Katrina Venable, Kerri Holder, and Kimberly Holder, as well as many other family members including numerous cousins, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph Nowak and Julia Poydock Nowak; her siblings and their spouses, Thelma and John Thornton, George Nowak, Jim and Pat Nowak, and Francis and Red Lewis; and her beloved great-niece Bailey Roberson and nephew Brad Nowak.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at The Lodge of Saginaw nursing facility for the care, kindness, compassion, and love they gave Doris during the last three years of her life. Their dedication and support brought comfort to Doris and her family, and they will always be grateful for the care she received.

Doris leaves behind a family who will miss her stubborn spirit, her laughter, her cooking, her sweet tea, her stories, and most of all, the fierce and unconditional love she gave them.

Though she is no longer here to sit in the stands, gather everyone around the holiday table, cheer on her grandchildren, or try her luck at the slots, the memories she created will live on in every generation she loved.

Doris lived her life with a strong faith in God and an unwavering love for her family. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now at peace in the loving presence of the God she faithfully loved and served.

She was deeply loved, fiercely protective, and never forgotten. Her greatest jackpot was the family she leaves behind.