Eva Kathleen "Kathy" Silkwood

Eva Kathleen “Kathy” Franklin Hardy Silkwood, 78, of Port Arthur, died Saturday, October 17, 2020. She was born May 13, 1942, in Bakersfield, California, to Eva Irene Shupe Williams and Fred Williams.

Kathy had a wonderful life. She traveled the world due to her fathers’ career in the oil industry and not just your typical traveling. She lived in so many different places abroad, including but not limited to, England; South Africa; Belgium; Netherlands; Denmark; Finland; Greece; and many others.

She met and married Michael Franklin in Athens, Greece where he worked for Bell Helicopter. Together, they continued to travel. They had a wonderful life for twenty years; while he enjoyed golfing and woodworking, she enjoyed playing bridge and sewing. Kathy was a professional seamstress having sewed for high-end clientele at a boutique. Upon Michael’s illness, it was apparent that she needed to further her education to be able to provide for her family before he passed away.

Kathy chose to work in the medical field and for the next twenty-five years being a nurse became her passion. During that time, she was appointed to the Texas State Board of Nursing where she was appointed by Governor Clements. She traveled to Austin to fulfill those duties.

After Michael’s passing, she then met her second husband, Al Hardy. They enjoyed dancing, boating, and cruising. The family grew as they gained a brother and a sister and then even more so as they all began to wed which resulted in seven grandchildren. After Al’s passing, her family steadily grew with the addition of five great-grandchildren.

Kathy retired and enjoyed going to lunch with her nursing buddies and playing games weekly with her Bridge group. A few years after retirement, she met a wonderful man at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church by the name of Perry Silkwood. They were heavily involved in their church with Altar Guild and the Vestry. Kathy and Perry enjoyed cruising and visiting with family and friends together. She enjoyed playing bridge and Perry enjoyed playing golf.

Over the last few years, Kathy developed Alzheimer’s Disease, and most recently, aggressive breast cancer. Her life was cut way too short with so much life left to live. She will be missed dearly.

Survivors include her husband, Perry Silkwood; children and stepchildren, Carrie Guarnere and husband, Mark; Shele Eason and husband, Keith; Clay Hardy and wife, Mary; Jena Rougeau and husband, Kevin; Troy Silkwood and wife, Gina; and Bret Silkwood and wife, Charlie; grandchildren and step grandchildren, Harley Guarnere; Tommy Gillespie and wife, Courtney; Tara Gillespie; Brandon Eason; Michelle Hardy; Darrell Hardy; Kayla Dutton and husband, Joel; and Kendall Rice and husband, Justin; great-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren, Stevi Gillespie; Tenley Gillespie; Abner Dutton; Norah Dutton; and Kinley Rice; siblings, Rick Williams and Susan Ezell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Eva and Fred Williams; and first and second husband, Michael D. Franklin and Aldwin D. Hardy.

A gathering of Mrs. Silkwood’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her funeral will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2425 Nall Street, Port Neches, with her interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123; to the Alzheimer’s Association, 700 N. Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701; or an organization of one’s choice.

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