THORP, Cora Elizabeth

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Saturday, April 5, 2003 Cora Elizabeth Thorp, Born December 24, 1914 and passed away March 27, 2003. Beloved mother of James (deceased), Jeryl, Sierra Vista, AZ, Don, Georgetown, TX, and Del Thorp, Bisbee, AZ, will not only be missed by her family and loved ones, but by the community of Bisbee, Arizona. Cora was born in Wetumpka, Oklahoma, at an Indian mission to Samuel and Joycie Farmer. She was married to Jeryl N. Thorp (deceased) former principal of Greenway Elementary School in Bisbee. Cora, as well as her parents, husband and children, were all educators. Cora began teaching at Fort Huachuca and later was a teacher at Lowell School, where she taught over three generations of students before retiring in 1980. She dedicated herself to her students and to her community. Cora was a member of the Retired Teacher's Association, was a Cub Scout mother for 16 years and a member of the Demolay Mothers Club for 16 years. She served on all the YWCA committees, was a Y-Teen director, a member of the Eastern Star and a past Worthy Matron. She also was a past president of the Business and Professional Women's Association locally, and served as a state officer as well. She was twice president of the Bisbee Education Association. Cora served for 40 years as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a women's honorary teachers organization. With that organization, she traveled to 16 countries and 36 states. She also served on the board, and was a past president of the Bisbee Council on the Arts and Humanities since its inception in 1968. She was a 50 year member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Warren, Az. where she served as a youth counselor, Sunday school teacher, treasurer, lay leader, conference delegate and lay speaker. Some of her best work was in the field of mental health where she was on the board of Cochise Behavioral Health Services where she assisted in bringing mental health services to this area-working with children's needs and helping provide alcohol and drug abuse programs to the county. Cora also served seven years on the Bisbee school board-the last two as president. She was also a charter member and one of the founders of the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum. She was instrumental in obtaining grants and contributions from Phelps Dodge to begin the museum's operation and expansion. Cora also began one of the first Headstart programs in Arizona located in Naco, Arizona. Cora was not only actively involved in the community, but was also honored for her excellence as a mother. She was Arizona State Merit Mother in 1971; BPW Woman of the Year in 1978, and her most cherished award was when she received the Arizona Mother of the Year award in 1972. She dedicated her life to her husband and her four boys, giving her time, energy and spirit to those she loved most. She will be missed by all who ever came in contact with her. Funeral and burial has been held on April 1, 2003. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.