Haymarket, VA Gladys (Midge) Margaret (Thornton) Paratore, 87, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday evening, March 8, 2020. Midge was born January 8, 1933, in Albany, New York to Joseph and Margaret Thornton, and was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years, Lt. Col. Joseph Paratore, USMC (Retired) and son Leon. She is survived by two daughters, Jo Anne Adkinson (Michael-deceased), Mary Ann Kupar (Jim); three sons, Michael, Joseph Jr. (Amy), Jimmy (Tiffany); eleven grandchildren, Brian (Jenn), Jackie, Charlie, Jake, TJ, Caitlin, Daniel, Tucker, Maddi, Joseph Cameron and Charlotte; three great-grandchildren, Miles, Hazel and Ali; and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She is preceded in death by her siblings Eugene, Helen, Joseph, Frank, Agnes and John. She attended the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany, NY and Sharon Springs Central School in Sharon Springs, NY where she graduated in 1950. Midge spent February 1952 until April 1953 in the Marine Corps where she met her life partner while he was coaching her women Marines softball team. She worked various jobs throughout her life including at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Triangle, Virginia, the pathology department at George Washington University, the law firm of Mudge, Rose, Guthrie and Alexander in Washington DC, the St. Agnes Religious Education Department in Arlington, Virginia, and she was most proud of graduating from nursing school at the age of 50 and working as an LPN in Northern Virginia and Naples, Florida. Midge was a devout Catholic and a Third Order Carmelite who enjoyed going to daily Mass and socializing with her church friends. She also enjoyed traveling and attending religious pilgrimages to Ireland; Italy; Garabandal, Spain; Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Fatima, Portugal, and the Holy Land. Midge had the world's biggest heart and loved everyone she met. She will be fondly remembered and forever loved.

The Paratore family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers who provided comfort during this difficult time: Kathy who is truly an angel sent by God, Lourdes and Isabel, as well as everyone at Heartland Hospice who are too many to name for their loving care, compassion and professionalism.

A Catholic Service will be offered on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 2:45 pm at Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel, Arlington, Virginia.  Interment will immediately follow the service at Arlington National Cemetery where Midge will be interred with her husband and son.  Father Christopher Murphy will be officiating.

Contributions may be made in her honor to Heartland Hospice, 493 Blackwell Road, #319, Warrenton, VA 20186.