Katherine Silva WARD

WARD, Katherine Silva, 80, of Temple Terrace, passed away October 10, 2012. She was born August 18, 1932, in Tampa, Florida, to Dutch and Inez Silva and was the fifth generation of her family to reside in Tampa. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent K. Ward, and her sister, Louise Preble. Survivors include her son, Ken Ward (Margie) of Temple Terrace; her daughter, Mary Lou Cox (Morris) of Tampa; grand-children, Jennifer Karr, Richard Cox, Adam Cox; and great-grandchild, Zoey Karr. Katherine attended Hillsborough High School where she played clarinet in the Big Red Fighting Terrier Marching Band and served as president of the Gamma Chapter of the Pi Mu honor society. Later in life, Katherine attended Hillsborough Community College, where she was named to Who's Who in America's Junior College. Katherine graduated from the University of South Florida College of Business Administration Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in accounting and received special recognition as a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Societies. Katherine also made the National Deans List each and every year of her college experience. Katherine began a career in banking in 1951 at the First National Bank of Tampa. She went on to become the Vice President of the Great American Seminole Bank of Tampa, where she worked for 20 years. After leaving the Seminole Bank, she joined the Independent Bank of Florida, where she served as an executive officer and ultimately bank President. Her banking career ended in 1989 when she retired as senior Vice President of the Bank of Tampa leaving behind many good friends and lots of fond memories. Following her retirement from banking, Katherine re-entered the business world and served as Chief Financial Officer for the Law Office of Ken Ward, P.A., until March of 2008. Far more important in Katherine's life than her academic and professional success was the love and companionship of her family and friends. She was a dedicated wife, mother, aunt, sister, cousin, grandmother and great-grandmother. Katherine was great, wonderful and met a standard as a person few people will reach. She was loved by everyone she met and she will be dearly missed by all those whose lives she touched. Katherine was a member of Christ our Redeemer Lutheran Church and was active in the church choir, bell choir and various committees. She also served as council chairperson, displaced homemaker program with Hillsborough County Schools and was a member of the chamber of commerce healthcare task force. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at Christ our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 304 Druid Hills Road, Temple Terrace, Florida 33617. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Katherine's name to her church.