Thornhill graduate stuck close to home

Sally Butler

When Thornhill Elementary School opened its doors, Sally Butler was there to be a part of its first kindergarten class Sept, 1958. Along with her sister, Sharon, who was in second grade, and her brother, Bill, who was in third, going to school everyday at Thornhill became a part of their lives.

Sally Butler graduated in the class of 1965, went on to Montera Middle School and then on to Skyline High School.

David Bonini

She later married Dave Bonini, who was in third grade when Thornhill School opened in 1958.

Their son Jason Bonini, entered kindergarten at Thornhill School in 1986-Sally Bonini will become Grandmother Bonini for the first time this June

During her son’s seven years at Thornhill, Sally was treasurer of the school’s parent-teacher organization for four years and chair of its Site Committee for two-during which they purchased and installed the lunch tables out back.

During 1988, Sally returned to Thornhill School as a noon supervisor. Within a year she became an Aide to the students in the Special Day Class, and has been there ever since.

She wears many hats at Thornhill, including working on purchase orders; she’s also one of the official fix-it people.


Sally has been a quilter for the past 20 years and owns her own craft business called Shoreline Creations. She spends as much time possible at her favorite home away from home in Dillon Beach.

Sally and her family have a long and deeply rooted history with Thornhill Elementary.
Dorothy Okamoto - Historian 2007