The Honourable Aline Willoughby
(1845-1931)
30 June 1864
Volume 12, page 106, sitting number 15573.
Born on 6 October 1845, the Honourable Alexandrina (‘Aline’) Henrietta Matilda Willoughby was the daughter of Henry Willoughby, 8th Baron Middleton of Middleton, and his wife Julia Louisa née Bosville.
On 3 February 1869 she married Sir John Henry Thorold, 12th Bt., son of Sir John Charles Thorold, 11th Bt. and Elizabeth Frances Thoroton-Hildyard.
The Honourable Lady Thorold died on 11 December 1931 at the age of 86.
‘We regret to announce that the Hon. Lady Thorold died yesterday morning, at Syston Old Hall, after a few days’ illness. She was in her 87th year, and was the widow of Sir John H. Thorold, Esq., who passed away on Oct. 4th, 1922, at Applecross, N.B., where he was spending a holiday, in company with his wife. Sir John, it will be recalled was aged 80 years, and was the head of an ancient Lincolnshire family.
‘Their marriage took place in 1869, his wife being the Hon. Henrietta Alexandrina Mathilda, daughter of the eighth Baron Middleton. There was a family of five, and four survive, namely two sons and two daughters, another son, Captain H. Thorold, having been killed in the Boer War.
‘Sir John and Lady Thorold’s joint association with this district extended over more than half-a-century, for they took up their residence at Syston Park upon their marriage. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1919. Sir John, it will be remembered, was prominent in many spheres of public activity, among which was his connection with the Kesteven County Council, being one of the original members of that authority on its inception, in 1889, and for many years chairman.
‘The Hon. Lady Thorold, too, was actively associated with beneficent work. She was one of the pioneers of that very valuable Institution, the Lincolnshire Nursing Association, and always took a deep interest in it. Another worthy organisation which claimed her sympathy and support is the Welby Memorial Home, Grantham, of which she was president. […] The deceased lady indeed, was ever solicitous for the welfare of others, and had a genial and kindly nature that evoked the admiration and esteem of all with whom she came into contact’ (Grantham Journal, 12 December 1931).