June 20, 1929 – April 7 , 2016
Angelina? “Holly”? C?arol Kevo, 86, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the Madrona House on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
She was born on June 20, 1929. ?Holly was dancing on stage from a young age. Her mother, Mary, made all of her costumes by hand. In the 1950s, her given name was considered too ethnic for the time , so she gave herself the stage name, “Holly Winters”.
She began her solo singing career performing at local nightclubs in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was apart of the USO tours during ?the Korean War. During the 1960s and early 1970s, she traveled often to entertain in various countries in Asia. In the mid-1970s, she worked for Princess Cruise Lines. She traveled frequently to Mexico, Panama and the Caribbean.
As she got older, work slowed down. In the mid-80s, she opened a short lived small take out restaurant called “Holly’s Folly” in the Latona neighborhood in Seattle. When her husband, John, retired in 1989, they sold their house on Greenlake and moved to Kitsap County with the dream of building a waterfront home. Unfortunately, her husband died unexpectedly in April 1990.
By the early 1990s, her waterfront home was built in Kingston, Washington. Around this time, she was working for Irene’s School of Dance, in Silverdale, Washington. Holly took great pride in teaching her “ladies” how to tap dance. In late 1997, her high school sweet heart, Norman Silva, came back into her life. Holly promptly moved back to California where she and Norman traveled frequently, enjoyed local theatre and shows and spent time with family and friends. Holly enjoyed every moment.
In the fall of 2014, Holly’s health declined, so she moved to Bainbridge Island to be closer to her children. Norman continued to visit and write often. Holly is survived by her “sweetheart” Norman Silva, children, Susan Carroll Ward of Bainbridge Island, Larry Ward of Poulsbo, Judalynn Patton of Citrus Heights, California, Hollind Kevo of Bainbridge Island, John Kevo of Seattle, her grandchildren, Erin Prachyl of Waxahatchie, Texas, Amanda Kendall of San Antonio, Texas, Rachel Rohlen of Truckee, California, Anthony Ward of Los Angeles, Jennifer Hawkins of Sacramento and Anya Flanagan of Bainbridge Island.
Holly also leaves behind five great-grandchildren, her brother, Jack Souza of Dublin, California, and nephews John Souza of San Diego, and Steven Souza of Dublin. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary Souza and her husband John Kevo.
Memorial contributions can be made to PAWS on Bainbridge Island. Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home on Bainbridge Island.
