BLUE HILL – Katherine Doring Newkirk, 90, died peacefully May 7, 2004, in her home at Parker Ridge, Blue Hill. She was born Feb. 9, 1914, in Allston, Mass., the daughter of George and Jennie (Funck) Doring. At age eight, the family moved to Albany and later to Glens Falls, N.Y., where she graduated from high school. In 1935, she graduated from Cornell University with a degree in mathematics. Following college, Kay went to work for Bell Laboratories in New York City, as a mathematical assistant for five years. In 1942, she married Arthur E. Newkirk and began a new career raising her family in Schenectady, N.Y. In addition to raising two children, Kay found time for volunteer work with the YWCA, the Red Cross, the Girl Scouts and many other civic organizations. As an only child and grandchild, Kay assumed responsibility for numerous elderly relatives. She continued this caring pattern as children and grandchildren arrived. In 1993, Kay and her husband, Art moved to Blue Hill to be near the ocean and family. An inveterate walker and dog enthusiast, Kay also enjoyed gardening, hiking, skiing, tennis and bridge. She traveled with her husband to remote places throughout the world, including Iceland, Kenya, Antarctica, Alaska, the Norwegian coast and New Zealand. A camp on Lake George, N.Y., was a favorite destination of Kay’s for 49 summers. Katherine is survived by her husband of 61 years, Arthur E. Newkirk, Ph.D. of Blue Hill; her daughter, Jean K. Newkirk and her partner, David Poula, of Iowa City, Iowa; her son, Arthur D. Newkirk, M.D. and his wife, Joyce, of Blue Hill; four grandchildren, Michelle, Philip, Owen and Margot; and six great-grandchildren. A private memorial service is planned. Memorial donations may be made to Blue Hill Memorial Hospital. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home, South Street, Blue Hill.
KATHERINE D. NEWKIRK
