Obituary of katherine R. Reynolds

KATHERINE RUTH (BEAL) REYNOLDS was called to be with her Lord in Heaven March 22, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. Katherine was the daughter of Dorothy and Walter Beal of Swanville, Maine. Katherine was born August 18, 1935 and grew up on the family farm in Swanville. There she developed a love for nature and the outdoors. She was the youngest of four and with family influence, developed a life-long love for baking. She attended school in Swanville until the family farm burned in 1950 when it was turned over to her older brother, Edward, to rebuild. Katherine and her mom moved to Belfast in 1950 where Katherine attended Crosby High School. She graduated in 1954 and was accepted to Farmington State Teachers College. She majored in Home Economics. During a break from school in 1958, Katherine attended a dance at the Blue Goose in Northport where she met Charles Reynolds. They began a life-long relationship and were married that year, August 23, 1958, after her graduation from college. Katherine accepted a teaching position in Mars Hill, Maine. The couple remained there for a year and moved back to Belfast where jobs were more plentiful for Charles and to start a family. Over the next two decades, Katherine "Kay" was involved in raising her family and supporting the community and church she loved. She was a member of the First Church in Belfast, joining in 1962. There she participated in the Eight O'Clock Club, Sunday School and numerous fund raising activities. She also became active in Scouting, supporting her growing family. Den leader for the Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts troop leader, PTA, President of the Garden Club, original committee member of the Belfast YMCA, you name it, you would likely find Kay involved in some way. While her life was her family, Kay decided to go back to work in 1968, at first for the USDA Extension Service where she was able to use her Home Economics skills. From here, the USDA offered her a job as an enumerator, eventually becoming their Northern New England supervisor. She enjoyed calling on the clients, farmers mostly, who appreciated her knowledge of farming and her background. In addition, she worked as the cook for Camp Neofa many summers and also did some baking for Helen's Bakery in Belfast. In her spare time, Kay enjoyed camping with the family especially at Mount'n Sea Campground in Sullivan, Maine, where the family spent the day clamming and exploring with a shore dinner as the end result. Scouting gave way to supporting her children's endeavors including sewing costumes for the drama club or participating with Charles in supporting from the bleachers numerous sporting, drama and concert events. Kay's hands were always busy. Any free moment found her with knitting needles in hand or quilting, crocheting or braiding rugs. Kay is predeceased by her parents, her husband, Charles, and two of her siblings, Bethania Harvey and Edward Beal. She is survived by her sister, Margaret Cunningham, her son Alfred Reynolds and wife Cathy, her son Walter Reynolds and wife Shelley, her daughter Susan Guzman and husband David and daughter Diane and significant other, Rick. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Justin Reynolds and wife Amber, Corey Reynolds and wife Ashley and Grace and Lynn Reynolds. In addition her great-grandchildren, Hope, Welker, Harper, Rex and Haven. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life at the First Church in Belfast beginning at 10 a.m. March 28, 2018. You are asked if you have one of the many items made by Kay, to come early and help decorate the church with her colorful array of quilts, knitting and rugs. There will be a reception following the service in the First Church Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Tri-Town PTG, c/o Amber Reynolds, 119 Poors Mills Road, Morrill, ME 04952.