Susan Welch Thorne, age 82, of Austin, Texas – beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend—peacefully passed away at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House on September 18, 2025 shortly after suffering a stroke.
Susan is survived by her children Lawrence Thorne (son) and his wife Reesa, and Jennifer Amann (daughter) and her husband Rob, and grandchildren, Logan Thorne and Rue Amann. Susan treasured her large circle of family and friends, and will be deeply missed by her immediate family, brother, nieces and nephews, close friends and the extended Welch family. Susan was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Bruce Lee Thorne, in 2024.
Born May 16, 1943, in San Benito, Texas, Susan was the daughter of the late L.B. Welch and Gladys Mae (Vickers) Welch and sister to Bill Welch of New Braunfels and the late Vera Jean Farmer. The family relocated from San Benito to Texas City in 1955, where Susan graduated from Texas City High School in 1961. Susan was a hard worker with a belief in contributing and making a place better. She started and ended her career as a bookkeeper and office manager in two family businesses, Welch Bros. Chevrolet and Photo Finish. Firstly, at Welch Bros. in Texas City in the 1960s, she worked as a switchboard operator and bookkeeper which helped put Bruce through pharmacy school and supported the family that included two small children. Once the family relocated to Lake Jackson in 1971, she supported Bruce in the running of Brazoswood Pharmacy while also working at Shintech and managing the office at the Brazosport Facts newspaper. After leaving The Facts, she joined Bruce at the family business, Photo Finish, until the business sale in 2000. In 2006, Bruce and Susan relocated to Austin where she dedicated herself to family, their pup Jax, volunteering and caregiving for Bruce in his final years.
Susan was an avid reader, news junkie, baseball fan and film buff with a firm belief in the virtues of seeing movies in the theater. She was a lifelong learner and engaged citizen with a quick wit and curious mind. She and Bruce cherished their active involvement in various social functions at Riverside Country Club in Lake Jackson. Long country drives with Bruce through the Texas backroads were a favorite pastime. Most of all she treasured spending time with the people she loved at Welch family gatherings, Texas City High School reunions, Baltimore visits to see Rue, Jen and Rob, many cherished get-togethers and getaways with the “Birthday Girls” and numerous Texas City/Hill Country pals and countless everyday moments with Lawrence, Reesa, Logan and Bruce in Austin.
She will be deeply missed by everyone fortunate to have known her.
Memorial contributions
Memorial gifts in Susan’s honor can be sent to Hospice Austin or AGE of Central Texas.
The family would like to extend our deep appreciation to the staff of Hospice Austin’s Christopher House for their loving care of Susan and the family during her final days. If you wish, please send memorial contributions in honor of Susan to: https://www.hospiceaustin.org/get-involved/donate/donation-form/. Please select Hospice Austin’s Christopher House as the project and designate Susan Thorne as honoree. You may also donate via mail to: Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs, Austin, TX 78759 and indicate Christopher House/Susan Thorne in the memo space on your check.
AGE of Central Texas was immensely helpful to Susan during Bruce’s care. Your donation will be used to support older adults and family caregivers in need. You can do so online by visiting www.AGEofCentralTexas.org and indicating that the gift is in memory of Bruce & Susan Thorne or by mailing a check to 3710 Cedar Street, Austin, TX 78705.