SILVERTHORN, FRANCES ANN

Of Flint, age 86, died Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Genesys Regional Medical Center. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1227 East Bristol Road in Burton, Father Gary L. McInnis officiating. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Redeemer Music Ministry, Holy Redeemer Church Outreach or Maryknoll Sisters. Visitation 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. A Scripture Service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday followed by a Rosary at the funeral home. Mrs. Silverthorn will be at the church from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of the Mass. Frances Ann Silverthorn was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 18, 1927, the daughter of the late Joseph and Katherine Vasko. She and her family moved to Maple Grove (New Lothrop) when she was four years old. She attended a one-room schoolhouse the first three grades and then attended St. Michael's Catholic School in New Lothrop through high school graduation. She graduated from Central Michigan University in 1949 with a B. S. degree in Business Education. She taught two years in Howell, married Dale Silverthorn in March of 1951 and moved to Flint. Additional education included attending University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and Michigan State University receiving a Vocational Education Degree from Michigan State. Frances did substitute teaching in the Grand Blanc School District while raising her family. She then taught full time at Grand Blanc High School as a Business Education teacher for 26 years before retiring in 1986. Frances was an active member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Burton and a Council of Catholic Women member for more than 50 years. She was a Eucharistic Minister, Parish Council Secretary, Facilitator of the 50th Anniversary Directory, volunteer at the North End Soup Kitchen, tutor at Holy Redeemer grade school, and a member of the Holy Redeemer chancel choir. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women and served on the Board for many years and as President from 1998 - 2000. Her passion was spending time with her grandchildren; working in her flower beds, traveling, music, painting, and reading. The highlight of her life was shaking hands and receiving a special blessing from Pope Paul II in Rome in 1997. Surviving are two daughters and four sons: Annette Malkus (husband, Gary) of Harbor Springs, MI; Duane Silverthorn (wife, Lori) of Howell, MI; Bruce Silverthorn of Hampton, VA; Mark Silverthorn (wife, Susan) of Swartz Creek, MI; Kathy Suski (husband, Edward) of Flushing, MI; Tim Silverthorn (wife, Monica Trent) of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren: Kara Jones (husband, Jason) of Matthews, NC; Nathan Malkus (wife, Megan) of Okemos, MI; Korey Malkus of Baltimore, MD; Adam Silverthorn of Howell, MI; Matthew, Elisa, and Erin Silverthorn of Romeo, MI; Casey, Troy and Katie Silverthorn of Swartz Creek, MI; Tyler Silverthorn of Royal Oak, MI; Dana Gagne (husband, Andrew) of Flushing, MI; Drew and Sean Suski of Flushing, MI; and, Mira and Trent Silverthorn of St. Paul, MN; great-grandchildren: Ellie, Sophie and Jack Jones of Matthews, NC; Piper and Nell Malkus of Okemos, MI; and Benjamin Gagne of Flushing, MI; sisters: Pauline Brinks of White Cloud, MI; and, Mildred Lamb of Sterling Heights, MI; sister-in-law: Virginia Griffith of Rolling Meadows, IL; many nieces, nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, on August 23, 2010; sisters, Jannette Vasko and Marian Amman and brother, Joseph Vasko.