Dateline: Williamston, N.C.

Mrs. Fernande Dansereau Silverthorne, age 89, passed away peacefully, Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at home with her family by her side.

Fernande was born in Montreal Canada on September 2nd, 1936, to Pierre Dansereau and Irene Booth Dansereau. She was "lucky number 7" of 13 children.

As a young woman, she moved to New Jersey to become a nanny where she learned to speak English.  Later, she studied at Kean University and at the University of Paris.

After answering an ad in a newspaper, Fernande moved to Williamston, NC where she taught French and English at Jamesville High School for 32 years. She loved teaching and she loved her students.

While teaching at Jamesville, she met the love of her life, Irvin "Skeebo" Silverthorne. They married on March 2nd, 1979. When they married, she became a mother to three young girls as well.

After retiring from teaching, she began her second career working with her husband on the rental properties they bought.

Fernande was an avid reader. She enjoyed sudoku and word puzzles.  She loved feeding the birds and giving treats to the neighbor's dogs.  She enjoyed picking up pinecones in the neighbors' yards as well.  Most of all, she loved to stay busy.

Fernande is survived by her husband of 47 years, Irvin Silverthorne; two daughters: Marsha Smith (Mutt),  Mary Anna Streit (Todd); three grandchildren: Shannon Conigliaro, Trey Peaks (Jami), and Olivia Grocholski (Logan); seven great grandchildren: Jaida, Noah, Kaleb, Ella, Emma, Everly, and Nicholas; her sister, Francoise Liuzza and her brother, Pierre Dansereau; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, June 19, 2026, at the Hamilton Cemetery with Pastor Chris Minton officiating. Kevin Dollbaum, Dennis Liuzza, Joe Gedrimas, Todd Streit, Trey Peaks, and Mutt Smith will be serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Walker Funeral Home, and travel to the cemetery in procession. The family will also receive friends at other times at home.

Online condolences may be directed to www.walkerfh.net

Walker Funeral Home, of Williamston, is proud to serve the Silverthorne family.