Sometimes the sweetest fruit comes from the late harvest. That's how it was for Lynn Thornberry.

Lynn started her nursing studies at the University of Iowa, but she left without a degree. In 1966, she and Stan were married in Bethel Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. Two children followed, Ann and Curtis, and Lynn stayed home to raise them. But she never forgot her desire to be a nurse, and she graduated as a registered nurse from Elgin Community College in 1979. She kept at her studies and finally earned her bachelor of nursing degree from the University of Iowa in 1992. But that still wasn't enough to suit her.

In 1999, Lynn enrolled in master's degree studies at Allen College. She was impressed with the faculty and students from the start. She thoroughly enjoyed school, and she relished the chance to be back in class again. But what she couldn't know was that her quest would be cut short by a disease that was silently attacking her body.

Lynn was diagnosed with neuro-endocrine cancer in January 2000. She fought back hard with chemotherapy and surgeries. Still, Lynn kept at her studies. When nothing stopped her cancer, it became obvious Lynn wasn't going to finish her work on her own. But in the end, she didn't have to. Lynn's teachers and classmates reached out to help. In August, as she lay dying, Lynn Thornberry was awarded an honorary master's degree from Allen College at the age of 57. She passed away just a few days later.

Before she died, Lynn and Stan had discussed setting up a scholarship for Allen College students to pass on to them her love of nursing. Because they had planned ahead, Stan took great comfort in putting the scholarship in place after Lynn's death. "It was her strong desire that this scholarship would assist other naturally compassionate people," Stan says.

With her scholarship, Lynn's memory lives on. Her family and friends know that other students will complete their healthcare education in Lynn's memory. We are grateful to Stan and the Thornberry family for the time we shared with Lynn. She dreamed of serving others as a nurse. Lynn now serves Allen College students as a benefactor and an inspiration.

A record 403 students are enrolled at Allen College this year. Even more will come here next fall. Almost all need financial aid. If you are interested in creating a memorial scholarship, it is so easy to do. If you prefer another type of memorial to Allen Hospital or Allen College, we can make that happen, too. Just click on How Can I...? to get started, or e-mail Matt Rolinger at Allen Foundation at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . We'll be delighted to hear from you, and we promise you will love the joy of honoring someone you love by making someone else's dream come true.

If you have caught a dream, click on How Can I...?
to see ways you can help realize your dream.

"If you can dream it, you can do it."
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