Moira Thornett

Moira Thornett, 63 passed away March 19, 2007 ending a courageous 30 year battle with breast cancer. Moira was born April 15, 1943 and was loved and cared for by Catherine and William Moat of Glasgow, Scotland. She moved to the US at the young age of 10. Professionally she was drawn to computers. This led to a career developing, installing and managing passenger reservation systems for several major airlines.While expertly balancing a career and raising 4 children, Moira achieved a Masters Degree in Information Technology and Telecommunications from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. She moved to Alpharetta, GA in her position as Vice President of IT Operations and Networking for Bass Hotels and Resorts. She was integral in opening and managing the Worldwide Reservations Data Center. Moira’s true passion, however, has always been the theater. She enjoyed the way people opened up once on stage. She believed that her talent to do that was her service to God. She began to recruit volunteers to a small theater group at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church (APC). With a desire to make the group more community-focused and faith-independent, ACT1 was formed in 1997. During ACT1’s first year they produced two shows, each with 3 performances. The facilities were limited at best, with no permanent performance space. Performances were in the church’s sanctuary, which was converted for each performance with temporary curtains and no sound or lighting system. In 1998, APC built a new sanctuary and ACT1 was fortunate to be able to convert the old sanctuary into a much better theatrical space. They extended the stage area and over the next couple of years, added sound and lighting equipment. Additionally, they re-furbished the theater space making it an “intimate” space, seating about 110. In addition to the “Mainstage” productions, a traveling component was added and several times a year, ACT1 will take a show to a nursing home, church or school. This is in addition to 2 dinner theater shows during the year and 2 children’s theater productions. ACT1 continues to be the only Non-profit all-volunteer theater in Alpharetta. Moira was always fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers to add to the crew. ACT1’s reputation has grown, and resulted in an expanded audience and community support. Initially an outreach of APC, their first cast was all church members, as was the audience. Today, their typical cast and audience is from the much larger community. Audience attendance for a production has grown from about 200 for their first one, to over 1,200. The casts and audience come from the local area, but also from distant parts of the city. Moira has been a part of every play ACT1 has produced over their 10 years as director (A Christmas Carol, Narnia, Nunsense), stage manager (Miracle on 34th Street, Two by Two), actor (The Odd Couple, The Littlest Angel) or costumer (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum). But it was her untitled position as mentor and friend that made her special. Hundreds of people have been touched by her stellar work. She brought veterans back to the stage and several younger actors that Moira first put on a stage have gone on to study theater arts in college. Her skills and the theater’s achievements were recognized just last year with 17 nominations in the 1st Metropolitan Atlanta Theater Awards. Moira walked away with the MAT Award for Best Director of a Musical for her work on Fiddler on the Roof. Her loss will be felt greatly at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church where her indomitable spirit touched just about every endeavor there. She has served as an Elder, Clerk of Session, a Deacon, a teacher, and member of several committees. She created “The Good News” newsletter, the electronic APC Connection and the church directory. In 2006, she was given the highest honor of the Presbyterian Women Organization, a Lifetime Membership. Her life was a beautiful example of love, charity, humility, style, dignity, creativity and elegance. She is our hero and truly The World’s Greatest Mom. In the short time Moira spent with us on Earth, she accomplished more than most and felt she had more to do. Perhaps the words of her daughter, Jennifer, said it best: “She did all that she did because it never occurred to her that she couldn’t do it. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Brian, her 3 daughters, Paige Earles of Atlanta, Jennifer Englund of Alpharetta and Robin Thornett of Roswell, her step-son, Stephen Thornett of Inman, South Carolina and her four grandchildren: Tela Thornett, Eric Earles, Hayley Englund and Brenden Thornett. The family will be receiving friends at Northside Chapel 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell 30075 this afternoon from 2 - 4pm and 6-8pm. Services will be held Thursday, March 22, 2007 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow. Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Roswell/Alpharetta 770-645-1414. www.northsidechapel.com

Moira Thornett

April 15, 1943 - March 19, 2007