Katherine McCobb York Moran

For all the young students who had come to Camden to study and stayed at Kathy´s house, we all felt nurtured, supported, loved, and fed by her signature gourmet blueberry cakes! Thank you for being the mother figure for us that we needed, and especially for me, I wouldn´t have become who I am today 20 some years after we first met, if I didn´t have you in my journey. Thank you with all my love, and I will be missing you, always.

I have known Kathy since 1963 when we met in New York City. We would stay in touch through occasional phone calls and emails over the years. She was able to visit my wife and I several years back during one of her cross-country jaunts. Her faith and optimism through her many physical trials has always been a lesson in strength. On learning of her passing, the lyric from the song "Emily" by Beth Nielsen Chapman came to mind. To paraphrase:

"Some friendships grow distant with time,
And it's no wonder, [Kathy], so much can change.
We're too far to visit, too busy to write,
But a closeness between us remains.

Best friends are made through smiles and tears,
And sometimes that fades over miles and years,
But I knew right away when I saw you again,
[Kathy], we'll always be friends."

I stumbled on to this obituary quite by accident but in a surreal way I felt directed here. I only had Kathy in my life for about 4 years. I met her at church but found out we lived just a few house away from each other in Camden. Despite our age difference, she was one of my first and most sincere friends in Camden. As a young mom, she was often my life saver. I never asked her to watch but often she'd let me know when my kids were headed home from school or she would randomly stop by to drop off one of her famous cakes. She taught me that cake flour was the trick for the best, most dense cakes. She often gave me encouraging words and uplifted me in times that mattered most. When it was time to leave Camden and move my family to Colorado, even though we had already said our goodbyes the day before, she pulled up to our house at 5am to send us on our way. Her spirit and zest for life during the time I knew her was so welcoming and hopeful. I remember her taking on a solo road trip across the US to visit family - I was worried about her doing that but she was set and excited. She also wanted to learn to drive a motorcycle (oops, that adventure didn't go so well) and I remember her being a willing participant and exceptional model when I hosted a silly fashion show for the women at church. At the time I knew her, her grandkids were very little but having them visit Maine was a highlight she looked forward to. She loved them! Kathy made a difference in my life and I'm so grateful for her influence, friendship, and kindness during the few short years that our lives crossed paths. To her family, I send my condolences. She was a wonderful woman!

Joe, Jim, and Millie, Aunt Kathy was a very special person and touched everyone who came in contact with her. She was a joy to be around and I am so thankful that the female Moran cousins made the effort to visit her in Maine last summer. We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks to celebrate her life!

Love Joanne

Very sorry Joe and the rest of your family.