Desirae Deirra Thorne, lovingly known as “Sissy” or “Sis” to all her friends and family, joined her Heavenly Father unexpectedly Thursday, November 27, 2025, at her home. Words will never describe the loss of such an important beautiful soul. A loving daughter, sister, niece and most importantly an aunt.
Desirae was born May 31, 1962, in Macomb, Illinois, the daughter of Emmanuel and Peggy Ann (Kessler) Thorne. She spent her childhood in Vermont, Illinois, spending her summers and days playing and exploring all that a small town had to offer in the 60s and 70s. Later, moving to Galesburg where she excelled in high school, being a member of Who’s Who.
She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1980 and attended Carl Sandburg College. She worked for the Knox County Housing Authority for thirty-four years, retiring April of this year. She was an avid “crafter” enjoying all craft projects. Sis had many four-legged fur babies throughout her life, including her current baby, Phoebe.
Left to cherish the memories of “Sissy”, is her mother, Peggy Ann Thorne-Flanagan of Summerfield, Florida; her two sisters, Tracey (Del) Pacheco of Galesburg and Cameron Thorne of Summerfield; her four nieces and one nephew who were the light of her life and so very proud of, Megan (Eric) Szalo of Des Moines, Iowa, Sarah (Brent Williams) Pacheco of Peoria, Illinois, Kelsy (Patrick) Hohenbery of Maquon, Illinois and Shelby (Lucas Miller) Pacheco of Galesburg and Jacob Thorne of Summerfield and great nieces and nephews, Camron, Maryne, Adelyne, Matthew, Huxley and Ava. She is also survived by her Aunt Beth (Norm) Ricca of Peoria, Aunt Kathy (John) Marshall of Ipava, Illinois, Uncle Max Kessler of Rockford, Illinois and Aunt Betty Rosenberry of California. She is preceded in death by her father, Emmanuel; her stepfather, Dick “Pops” Flanagan, her grandparents, Kenneth and Marian Kessler and Emmanuel and Hectorine Thorne; her Uncle Ray Piercy and Aunt Lois Demetrio.
A Memorial Visitation to celebrate Desirae will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2025, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Cremation will be accorded. Memorials may be made to the Knox County Humane Society. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com.
