Amanda G. (Littlefield) Thornton, 47, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2026, after a courageous and hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer. Surrounded by the love of her family, Amanda faced her illness with the same determination, strength, and grace that defined her entire life.

Affectionately known as “Meard” to her family since childhood, Amanda was born on September 28, 1978, in Sanford, Maine, to Gordon L. Littlefield, Jr. and Gaye Littlefield. She was the cherished baby sister of Angela Littlefield and Amy (Littlefield) Noble.

Amanda was raised in Waterboro, Maine, on the same road as her great-grandmother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. To say her family was close-knit would be an understatement. Family was the foundation of Amanda’s life, and the bonds she shared with her loved ones shaped the compassionate and devoted person she became.

A graduate of Massabesic High School, Amanda went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Springfield College. It was there that she formed lifelong friendships with Nakaia Smith and Vanessa Lizana, friendships she treasured deeply throughout her life.

Following college, Amanda relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she built a life rooted in love, hard work, and service to others. It was there that she met her husband, Michael Thornton. The two were married in 2011 and together created a beautiful family. 

Throughout her career, Amanda worked in several fields, always bringing dedication and compassion to everything she did. Most recently, she worked at Southeastern College in Charlotte, where she helped countless students pursue brighter futures and achieve their educational goals. Amanda had a gift for encouraging others to believe in themselves and was deeply invested in the success of those she served.

That same spirit of service continued throughout her battle with ovarian cancer. Amanda bravely and openly shared her journey, using her experience to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and offer hope, encouragement, and support to others facing the disease. Through her Instagram page, amandabeatscancer, she candidly shared both the challenges and triumphs of her journey. Even during her most difficult days, Amanda remained committed to helping others feel less alone, inspiring countless people with her strength, honesty, resilience, and unwavering determination.

While she found fulfillment in helping others professionally and through her advocacy, Amanda’s greatest and most treasured role was being a mother.

Amanda and Michael raised two beloved sons, Tai and Taj Thornton, who were the center of her world and her greatest source of pride and joy. She was a devoted basketball mom who spent countless weekends driving to games, cheering from the sidelines, celebrating victories, comforting disappointments, and singing along with Michael and her boys on the way to practices and tournaments. Her love for Tai and Taj knew no bounds, and she poured her heart into helping them become kind, hardworking, and compassionate young men. Her compassion, strong work ethic, determination, independence, and sense of humor will live on through them.

Amanda’s love extended far beyond her immediate family. She was a devoted and deeply involved aunt to her beloved nieces, Mia Noble, Meg Noble, Tess Littlefield, Maeve Noble, and Neve Littlefield. Affectionately known as “Auntie B,” Amanda shared a special bond with each of her girls. Whether participating in the nieces’ group chat, celebrating milestones, attending proms and graduations, or simply offering encouragement, advice, and unconditional love, she was a constant and cherished presence in their lives. Amanda took great pride in watching her nieces grow into remarkable young women, and they, in turn, adored their Auntie B. The memories they created together, the laughter they shared, and the love they exchanged will remain treasured gifts that they carry with them forever.

The bond Amanda shared with her sisters, Angela and Amy, was one of the greatest blessings of her life. More than sisters, they were best friends, confidants, and constant companions through every season of life. No matter the distance between Maine and North Carolina, they remained connected through daily phone calls on the way to and from work, endless text messages, celebrations, and countless moments both big and small. Together they shared life's joys, challenges, milestones, and heartaches.

During Amanda's battle with cancer, that bond became even more profound. Angela was not only Amanda's rock, but the rock of the entire family, accompanying her to treatments and appointments, providing unwavering support, and helping carry the family through the most difficult days. Alongside Amy, the sisters leaned on one another, finding strength, comfort, laughter, and hope in their unbreakable bond.

The three sisters shared a special love for hummingbirds, often seeing them as small reminders of joy, resilience, and the enduring presence of those we love. Today, whenever a hummingbird appears, Amanda's family will be reminded of the unbreakable connection they shared and the love that will forever bind the three sisters together. 

Amanda was fiercely independent, wonderfully stubborn, and incredibly determined. Once she set her mind to something, there was little that could stand in her way. Yet beneath that strong exterior was a woman with an enormous heart. She was generous, caring, and always willing to help someone in need. Amanda believed deeply in giving back and instilled those values in her sons. Whether volunteering at a local food pantry, supporting charitable causes, or simply showing up for friends and family during difficult times, Amanda consistently demonstrated selflessness and compassion.

She will be remembered for her quick wit, infectious sense of humor, strong work ethic, unwavering loyalty, and her ability to make people feel loved and supported. She will also be remembered for her iconic style—high heels, animal print, etc.. She was always impeccably dressed in perfectly coordinated outfits from head to toe. Amanda carried herself with confidence, style, and flair that was unmistakably her own. Her strength, resilience, kindness, and generosity touched countless lives and leaves a lasting legacy through her family, friends, colleagues, students, and especially through Tai, Taj, and the nieces who adored their Auntie B.

Amanda’s absence leaves an immeasurable void, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her—as a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished daughter and sister, treasured friend, advocate, and beloved “Auntie B.” Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in the countless memories she created, the lessons she taught, the love she gave so freely, and in every hummingbird that reminds us she is never far away.

Amanda's family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Erin Crane, Dr. Allison Puechl, and Manuela Strada, Art Therapist and dear friend, all of the Levine Cancer Institute. Over the course of Amanda's battle, they became far more than members of her medical team. They provided exceptional care, unwavering support, compassion, honesty, and encouragement throughout her journey. Amanda and her family placed immense trust in each of them, and they consistently went above and beyond in ways that can never fully be repaid. Their kindness, dedication, and genuine care brought comfort during the most difficult of times, and for that, Amanda's family will be forever grateful.

A special thank you is also extended to Amanda's childhood best friend, Katie Wallace, whom Amanda loved dearly. The family is deeply grateful to Ashley Smith, Terrell Smith, and Collette Elgin for the extraordinary love, support, and friendship they have shown not only to Amanda, but also to Michael, Tai, and Taj throughout this journey. Finally, heartfelt thanks are extended to the entire Smith Elite Basketball family. The outpouring of love, support, generosity, prayers, and encouragement shown to Amanda, Michael, and the boys has been nothing short of remarkable and will never be forgotten.

Amanda is survived by her husband, Michael Thornton; her beloved sons, Tai and Taj Thornton; her step-daughter, Darian Thornton; her beloved dog, Oreo; her parents, Gordon L. Littlefield, Jr. and Gaye Littlefield; her sisters, Angela Littlefield and wife Denice Vallee, and Amy (Littlefield) Noble and husband Kraig Noble; her cherished nieces, Mia Noble, Meg Noble, Tess Littlefield, Maeve Noble, and Neve Littlefield; her lifelong friends, Nakaia Smith and Vanessa Lizana; her aunts, Sharon Littlefield and Linda McNamee; her cousins, Melinda Richards, Heather Glidden, and Dennis Sawyer, Jr.; the extended Thornton family; the Smith Elite Basketball families; and many friends, former students, and all those whose lives were made better by knowing her. 

A celebration of Amanda’s life will be held on August 8, 2026. Details forthcoming. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to an ovarian cancer research organization or to Hearts to Hands CLT, Inc. in Amanda’s memory, honoring her lifelong commitment to helping others and her dedication to giving back to her community. 

Forever our “Meard,” forever our “Auntie B,” forever loved, and forever missed.