Silverthorn, Mary Dorothy (Dorothy);

Aug 22 , 1924 – Jan 12, 2026

At 101 and a half years, after a full and happy life, Dorothy Silverthorn (née Gough) has finished her work here and has decided to join Jack in the next one. Daughter of the late George and Susannah Gough of Toronto, wife of the late Jack Silverthorn, mother of Anne Roveda (John), John Silverthorn (Sharon) the late Margaret Hay; grandmother of Mandy (Gary), Katy (Scott), Lucas (Stephanie), Meagan (Emerson), Michael (Alyssa), Jake (Jessy) and Jaime (Kelly); great grandmother of Kyra, Emily, Jack, Tavish, Tosh, Lenny and Maisie. Dorothy was predeceased by her siblings Herbert (Brenda), Marjory (Harry), and Susan (Robert). She is survived by her brother David Gough (Rosetta). 

Mom grew up on Pailton Cres in North Toronto. She and Dad were childhood sweethearts, growing up across the street from each other. He was her yodelling cowboy. A strong, happy marriage that was a real partnership lasted 68 years. She was “Doe” to many but Dad called her  “Jo”  because he said that’s what she was - a good Jo. Bowling, lawn bowling, curling, golfing, card playing, square dancing, traveling - they did it all together. She was first in line whenever someone suggested a trip and was game for going anywhere - traveling all thru the US, the Caribbean, the UK, and Europe with friends and family.  Mom and Dad lived in Toronto, Barrie, North Bay and Unionville and collected friends wherever they went. 

Mom worked for a while as a secretary at Howden Hardware with her friend Flo Lamont downtown on Front Street and proudly pointed out the very window she sat at every time we went to the Spaghetti Factory, her favourite restaurant.  After we were born, she became a homemaker, a sewer, a knitter, a quilter, a cook and doer of all the things that make a house a home including painting and wallpapering and reupholstering furniture. 

Mom was generous of spirit, kind, loving, proud, stubborn (she was a redhead head after all) and brave. We will miss her every day!

We are thankful to the wonderful staff at Memory & Co in Markham for the kind loving care they have given her. She spent the last 10 years and her final days in a home where she was active and cared for as one of the family. 

Friends will be received at the DIXON-GARLAND FUNERAL HOME, 166 Main Street N. (Markham Road) Markham, on Friday January 16, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed immediately by a service in the Chapel, and interment at the Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or a charity of your choice. Better yet – remember her by having your family over for Sunday Dinner. She’d love that.