Sharon was born in Oakland, California on August 30, 1949, to Frank Valarian Silva and Frances Emilia Borges. She was the oldest of three children. Sharon is survived by her brother Stephen Silva (Cheryl) of Fresno, niece Julie Pantaleoni of Palo Alto and her sister Valerie Silva of Fresno. Sharon graduated from Marina High School in San Leandro, Class of 67. After high school, she attended San Jose State University and graduated from Fresno State University with BA in Education, Emphasis in Early Childhood.
Shortly after moving to Fresno, she met her husband Sam Nersesian. Sam and Sharon fell in love and were married at St. John’s Cathedral in Fresno, California on May 12, 1973. Sharon was welcomed into the Nersesian family by Sam’s mother Mary, father Richard (d.), brothers Mike (d.), Oscar (d.), Charlie (Cathy) of Wichita, Kansas and sister Susie of Salem, Oregon. They welcomed three children, Frank of Yokuts Valley, Sarkis (Jolene) of Fresno and Nancy (Patrick O’Neill) of Clovis. Sharon’s four grandchildren, Ashley, Sarkis Jr, Caitlin and Allison were her pride and joy – she loved being their Grandma. In 2026, Sam and Sharon were blessed to be able to celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Throughout her life, Sharon was steadfastly loyal to her family members and friends. Sharon was a primary grade teacher in Fresno for over 38 years, spent mostly in Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten. After a remarkable career in Education, she retired in June of 2025. Through her many years of teaching, Sharon had a profound impact on thousands of children and inspired many students, friends, and coworkers to continue their education and achieve excellence.
Sharon will be dearly missed by her loving husband Sam, and their family. She will be fondly remembered by the Silva and Nersesian families as well as friends, colleagues, and students. All who had the privilege of knowing Sharon will greatly miss the kindness and love that she showed them every day. Although our hearts are broken, we are comforted knowing that Sharon will rest in God's great care.
Visitation September 4th, 2026, from 4:30pm – 6:30 pm followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:30 pm Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home. (836 Nees Ave, Fresno CA 93720)
Services followed by a light lunch will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 5th, 2026 Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home (836 Nees Ave, Fresno, CA 93720)
Private Burial at San Joaquin National Cemetery will take place at a later date.
Gifts in memory of Sharon Silva Nersesian to support a scholarship fund which may be endowed are payable to the Fresno State Foundation. Please mail to:
California State University, Fresno
Office of Advancement Services
5241 N. Maple Ave. M/S TA 45
Fresno, CA 93740
Please indicate that the gift is in memory of Sharon Silva Nersesian.
Online: https://fresnostate.edu/givenow
