Ingeborg Barbara Thornley

Born in a small German village, Inge's family survived the Nazi occupation during World War II, and in her memoirs recalls with great pride her family's anti-Nazi efforts.

Inge's early life was marked by extensive travel throughout continental Europe. After the sudden death of her first husband in a car accident, Inge, along with her young son, Erick, eventually settled with her parents in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, after her father accepted a promotion at a large plant as a woodworker. In a journal left to her grandson, Inge recalls her immense pride in her father's artistry and work ethic and her mother's "Help Thy Neighbor" attitude.

Inge married her second husband, William Preston "Bill" Thornley, in 1959 in Switzerland, and they welcomed their daughter, Melanie, the following year in Kaiserslautern, Germany where Bill was working for an American Insurance Co that provided services to military families in both Germany and England . Inge and Bill were married for 56 years.

Inge, Bill, Erick, and Melanie eventually relocated and settled in Charleston, S.C. It was here Inge honored her mother's spirit as a "Pink Lady" by volunteering in the hospitality department at Roper Hospital, a role in which she visited and brought cheer to patients.

Since 1968, Inge was an active member at Church of the Nativity of Charleston, where she served as a Eucharist Minister and ministered to the sick and homebound. Inge also loved photography and was an amazing seamstress and chef, especially in pie and cake baking.

She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Ann Schuh (Mathew Schuh); six grandchildren: Colin, Emily, Conrad, Adam, Liza, and Andrew; and five great grandchildren: Craig, Grady, Wynn, Daily and Georgia. Inge is preceded in death by her first husband Joe Byrd, her second husband, William Preston "Bill" Thornley, and her son, Erick Preston Byrd.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 13, 2024, at the Church of the Nativity (1061 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412), followed by a private burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. Reception will follow at 1:00 p.m at, 577 Kell Pl, Charleston, SC 29412.