Sandra Elizabeth Thoresen (Silk) passed peacefully on 18 April 2026, at the Warner Hospice Center in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Sandra was born June 26, 1935 in Lowell, Massachusetts to Eleanor Mae Silk (Gurney) and Errol Hawthorn Silk. Her older sister, Lucinda Mae Silk predeceased Sandra. She is survived by a younger sister, Marcia Evans (Silk) of Edgewater, Florida.

Sandra took pride in her work as a telephone operator in the early days of the expanding telephone network. Later she was a stay at home mom for her children as her family traversed the country residing in; Huntsville, Alabama; Syracuse, New York; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Cocoa, Florida; Dalton, Massachusetts; Bremerton, Washington; Clifton Park, New York; and finally Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Sandra was a wonderful cook and baker. Her cookies are fondly remembered by grand and great grandchildren alike. Her holiday dinners were always a treat.

Sandra loved the beach and was delighted when they retired to a great beach for shark teeth. Her collection was well into the hundreds. When not enjoying the beach, jigsaw puzzles were always in progress and a scrabble game took place nearly every afternoon.

Sandra loved her family and even through the difficulties of diminished memory she would request the whereabouts, health status and activities of all her family members each day.

Sandra’s husband of 69 years, Paul G. Thoresen, passed away May 26, 2025. Sandra is survived by three children and their spouses; David Paul and Paula Thoresen of Woodbridge, Virginia; Wendy Suzanne and Wayne Day of Brentwood, Tennessee; and Karen Elizabeth and Steve Lawson of Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Sandra will join her husband at the Jacksonville National Cemetery after a small family graveside service.

Sandra’s smile was wonderful. It lit up any room right to her last day. We will miss that sweet smile.


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OXLEY-HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS