SUMMERS, KATHRYN FRANCES BEKE (1941 ~ 2017). The following is an obituary for Kathryn Frances Beke Summers, spouse of Edward Lee Summers. The obituary was provided by Weed, Corley, Fish Funeral Home of Austin.
Kathryn Beke Summers, 75 years of age, passed away on July 14, 2017 in her home, ending her brief but intense battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born in Chicago on November 19, 1941, to the late Joseph and Sophie Beke and is the oldest of seven children. At age five, her family moved to a farm near Spring,Texas. She graduated from Spring High School in June, 1959, and from Texas Women's University in January, 1963 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. In the spring of 1963, she taught at Jesse Jones High School in southeast Houston.
She was married to the love of her life, Edward Summers, on June 1, 1963. They eventually made their way to Austin, where they had two children. Kathy took pride in raising her family, sailing on Lake Travis, and frequenting the mountains of Colorado, Alaska and other scenic destinations. She had two green thumbs and was passionate about her garden and photographing her exotic flowers.
Kathy's greatest gift, which touched many souls, was her watercolor painting, for which she won numerous awards. She gravitated towards painting florals and landscapes and liked to say, "My paintings are the layers of my life, they tell who I am." A student of Kathy's expressed "…she had a lot of love to give and gave generously…I will not forget her and what she has taught me. It wasn't all watercolor either. I love her, appreciated her and respected her."
In addition to teaching art classes, Kathy doted on her grandkids, relaxed at her farm in Giddings, shopped with her sisters, loved her dogs (and one cat), and found great joy in telling a clever joke. She was known as a gift giver, and relished in her favorite holiday: Christmas!
Kathy is survived by her husband, Edward Summers, her two children Michael Summers of Austin and Pamela Parks of Flower Mound, daughter-in-law Joanna Summers, son-in-law Derek Parks, her brothers Skip, James and Gabor of Houston and her sisters Sophie, Judy and Carol of Houston. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Mason Parks, Callum Parks, Sophie Parks, Angelica Summers, Amanda Summers, and James Summers.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Amanda with Healthsense Hospice, Kathy's nurse Madeline, and her caregiver Linda for the love and care they gave to all of us and to all the friends who brought meals (bless you), sent cards and prayed for Kathy during her fight.
The viewing will be held Friday, July 21st from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705.
The funeral will be held Saturday, July 22nd from 2:00-3:00pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Dr., Austin, TX 78757.
The burial will be held following the funeral at the Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702.
In lieu of flowers, Kathy would like donations made to the National Parkinson Foundation 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 (in honor of family members with this disease).
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