Patrick Mark Thorne

Patrick Mark Thorne was born on November 15, 1969 to his parents Floyd M. Thorne, Jr and Linda M. (Brungardt) Thorne at Rose Memorial Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

Patrick was eight years old when he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. As hard as it was as a vibrant very active little boy he did well, all in all. When he was still a teen he started having issues with his eyes and Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can cause blindness in people who have Diabetes. It affects blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). As a treatment for this the Doctor would shoot a laser into his eyes and cauterize the blood vessels to stop the bleeding.

In Patrick's case his eyes developed scar tissue from the Laser treatments. It affected his left eye more than the right, to the extent that the scar tissue tore his Retina loose. They performed surgery on the left eye to repair the tear and remove a lot of the scar tissue. He had to be face down for a couple weeks because his eye was filled with an inert gas the was to rise upwards and hold the retina in place to heal. The first surgery did not work so, we all felt that is was worth another try. This time he was face down for three or four weeks. This surgery did not work either and the likelihood of a third surgery was so slim that it was never attempted.

Patrick was declared legally blind in his right eye but, the Retina was still in tact. Patrick later got a Glass Prosthesis in his left eye. Patrick did attend a program offered by the Colorado Center for the Blind here in Denver to give him the skills necessary to get a long in the world of the Blind. But, he had enough vision in his right eye that he got along pretty well for a number of years.

He had different jobs throughout the coming years and ended up working in the Cherry Creek School District for about twenty some years. His love of children fitted him perfectly for the job. He worked in the ILC (Integrated Learning Center) program as a Para Professional working primarily with Autistic children. "Mr. Patrick" was loved by all the children and all of the staff at Polton Elementary School.

They started watching Patrick's Kidney function here a few years ago. His Kidney function was diminishing gradually over time. In the Fall of 2020 it was determined that Patrick should have a Port placed in his abdomen to facilitate "Self Dialysis." Then in an effort to get him in for training for this procedure and due to his impaired vision he wanted his daughter Ashleigh to attend the training as well. Ashleigh, had given birth to his Granddaughter on 10-10-2020 and during the Pandemic era they would not let a nursing mother and baby into the hospital area for the training. While trying to work out some way for the training to happen Patrick got a call that there was a Living Donor that was a 100% match for him and did he want the Kidney. Certainly he wanted the Kidney.

On November 5, 2020 the donated Kidney was "harvested" in the morning and flown to Denver and Patrick received it that afternoon. A Blessing that he and all of us still can not believe ever happened. Literally a new lease on life. Patrick and his family will forever be grateful for that life giving donation. As a result Patrick NEVER had to do Dialysis and the Port was later removed.

Over the last six months Patrick was having some serious Dizzy Spells. He had fallen a few times and ended up in the ER three different times. He was told that his Blood Pressure medication needed to be adjusted. They would do so and send him home. He went to the ER October 1 and was sent home. He had a Doctors appointment on October 3 but, was so dizzy that he canceled it. He called Ashleigh and wanted her to take him back to the ER because he was so dizzy once again. She said "Dad I could take you but, if you fall I can't pick you up. You need to call 911" and so he did. He was admitted to the hospital and then soon moved to what they call "Progressive Care" where there is a higher ratio of nurses per patient. Then on October 5 he was moved to the MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit). After NUMEROUS tests it was determined that Patrick had "West Nile Virus." Patrick was on a ventilator and other life support apparatus the entire time.

After consultation with numerous Medical staff with a very grim prognosis and family members, the family decided that even if Patrick was to survive this virus that he would have an existence that he would not want and that he would not want his family to have either. Patrick stayed in the MICU until Sunday November 5 at which time, about 10:00 a.m., the decision was made to remove all life support apparatus and implement what they call "Comfort Care" and wait for nature to intervene. Patrick passed away peacefully and without pain about 5:30 p.m. on November 6, 2023.

Patrick is survived by his two parents Floyd M. Thorne, Jr and Linda M. Thorne, his Daughter Ashleigh Mae Thorne, her fellow Christopher Elijah Smith-Hawkins, and his Granddaughter Marleigh Martha Mae Smith Hawkins. Also many Aunts, Uncles, cousins coworkers and friends galore.

May you rest in piece, free of all earthly pain and suffering while making a place for us to join you when it is our time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation at Click Here to donate online.