Kathleen Marie Silk, 88, a longtime resident of Arnold, passed away peacefully at her home on August 14, 2024, surrounded by her adoring family.

Kathleen was born to John and Kathryn Gercke on September 29, 1935, in Philadelphia, PA. She was raised there, attended St. Bernard Elementary school and graduated from St. Hubert's High School in 1953. She earned a B.A. in Music and Teacher's Certification in 1957 from Chestnut Hill College and continued to study at Julliard in New York under Oscar Shumsky from 1957 through 1959. Kathleen played in many Community Orchestras throughout her life. She also played at the Naval Academy in Annapolis for Handel's Messiah, and productions of H.M.S. Pinafore and the Pirates of Penzance. She became a certified Suzuki Violin teacher at Catholic University in 1982. She taught hundreds of students in violin over the next 35 years. Teaching violin was Kathleen's passion. She loved every minute with every student.

She married her childhood sweetheart, Charles (Bud) Silk, on December 26, 1959. They lived in Southampton, Pennsylvania with their four daughters until 1974. They moved to Arnold, Maryland where they welcomed a son into the family. The house, which she resided in until her passing, became the gathering place for her large family. She was the most amazing mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. Kathleen lived for time spent with her family. She loved the yearly trips to the Outer Banks with her family. She volunteered at all the schools her children attended and loved being involved in all their activities. She also had many friends that filled her life with love and laughter. She traveled all over Europe with her husband and friends and joyfully immersed herself in all of the different cultures.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, her parents and her daughter, Jennifer Russell (John). She is survived by her children, Suzanne Rainey (Jack), Maureen Creel (Paul), Caroline Harman (Paul), Eric Silk (Danielle), 15 grandchildren: Megan Fulford (Benjamin), Shannon Cronin (Joseph), Colin Rainey (Gina), Alexandra Myers (Brody), Bridget Creel, Samantha Harman, Sean Creel, Courtney Rainey, Nicholas Russell, Brendan Harman, Kevin Rainey, Cameron Creel, Spencer Russell, Charlie Silk, Finley Silk and five great-grandchildren: Grady Fulford, Madeline Fulford, Joseph Cronin Jr., Ryland Fulford, Cooper Cronin and Hudson Myers. She is also survived by her sister, Sister Joan Kathleen Gercke and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church Parish Activities Center on September 21, 2024, from 9:30-10:30am with a Memorial Mass to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kathleen's honor to St. John the Evangelist School, 669 Ritchie Hwy., Severna Park, MD 21146 or online at St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic School.