Evelyn Hoggatt Thorne passed away May 19 in San Luis Obispo, with her daughter, Sara, at her bedside, three weeks after a serious heart attack.
Thorne was born Aug. 28, 1921. She often spoke of her childhood home on the farm in the quiet woods of Franklinton, La., and the richness of her relationships in a large loving family. These ties, especially to her sister Christine, were important all her life.
Not to be held back by the Great Depression in the deep South, Thorne graduated valedictorian of her high school class, which garnered her a full scholarship to Louisiana State University, where she majored in business administration. She landed her first job as a secretary to an officer on a military base in Biloxi, Miss., and was always proud to be able to put her education to use.
Thorne married Albert Henry Thorne, whom she was introduced to by her sister. The couple moved to Malibu in 1940 and shared a devoted marriage for 50 years. They raised their family of four children, Larry, Cindy, Sara and Al Jr., in Ramirez Canyon and enjoyed the pioneering days of life in Malibu.
Thorne embraced her daughters-in-law, Laurel Thorne and Jill Thorne, and her sons-in-law, John Evans and David Rogers, as her own. She particularly loved her grandchildren Grant and Olivia Thorne, Mindy and Curtis Thorne, and Evelyn and Wesley Evans.
Thorne filled her home with love and warmth for everyone to enjoy, and life centered in her kitchen around her delicious southern-style meals. The Thornes loved to entertain friends and family with their famous barbecue corn and homemade ice cream at summer dinner parties on their Ramirez Canyon patio, overlooking their beautiful mountain and Pacific Ocean views.
Thorne enjoyed decades of community involvement in a number of local groups, including The Malibu Garden Club, Malibu Historical Society, the Malibu Woman’s Club, and the Malibu Presbyterian Church Women’s Circle and Community Bible Study.
Professionally, for more than 30 years, Thorne used her business administration skills working for Malibu’s own Jafra Cosmetics founder and president Jan Day.
Thorne’s memorial will take place Aug. 16 at Malibu Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m.
“All are welcome to celebrate the life of this remarkably thoughtful and giving woman who was loved by everyone who crossed her path,” Thorne’s family wrote of the service.