05 May 2017

An interview with Catherine Dudley about her aunt Cathryn (Katy) Shevlin.

A petite, soft spoken woman with a dry sense of humor, Cathryn was adventurous, active and very much involved with life and things that matter most to her. 

Katy was an avid traveler and her adventures to Peru, Japan and Europe affected her as she became more conscious of world issues.

She had a wide range of issues she felt strongly about and contributed to those causes financially or with her time. She gave to local and global charities that focused on children and adult medical issues, nature and education. 

She started giving to The Salvation Army when she lived in Cleveland. “I believe the main reason my aunt gave to The Salvation Army was because of the organization’s reputation,” Catherine stated.  “Also, she trusted The Salvation Army to follow through on her wishes of how she wanted her gift to be used in Maine.”

After her passing in 2013, Katy was able to leave a legacy gift through her will. Her contribution will go on to build new staff housing at the division’s Camp Sebago in Standish, Maine.  The Salvation Army’s Camp Sebago provides nearly 1000 children a weeklong camping experience each summer.

Cathryn (Katy) Shevlin was born in Dresden, Maine, a small town located on the eastern side of the Kennebec River.  Her father, Vincent was an Irishman from Brooklyn, New York and her mother Bernice, a native of Maine.

Katy graduated from the Gorham State Teachers College (now the University of Southern Maine in Gorham).  She was awarded a Masters of Arts degree from Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio.

Following her education, Katy taught first-and second graders in Cleveland for most of her teaching career. She would spend her summers in Maine.  Her aunts, uncles and cousins would gather in Dresden since most of them were teachers as well.  Katy’s mom was a home economics teacher at several schools in Maine.  Catherine (Katy’s niece) taught middle school Social Studies for 28 years in three states.

Catherine recalls, it was a giant family reunion each summer as we would spend  time playing scrabble, going to the beach at Reid State Park, grilling meals outside and enjoying our  annual 4^th of July picnic.  Katy loved Maine and enjoyed exploring the outdoors and the coastal towns.

One of Catherine’s fondest memories was when she was 11 years old and Aunt Katy took her to the Cleveland Art Museum.   On display was the works of Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh.    “My aunt’s love for the arts inspired her to do her own oil paintings.  Also her enthusiasm got me interested in the arts as I dabbled in pastels and then when I retired, I participated in water coloring classes.” Catherine has one of Aunt Katy’s paintings hanging in her living room, a summertime scene of the brook in Dresden.

During Katy’s younger years she experienced tremendous grief with the loss of loved ones.  She was about eight years old when her father died.  In her early teens she lost her brother Vincent with whom she was very close.  When Katy was in her early twenties her mother passed away. Catherine believes these heart-wrenching losses influenced her to become independent and adventurous.

At the age of 53 she retired from teaching and returned to Dresden, Maine to live.

From the picture window in her kitchen you could see in the backyard two bird feeders and eight bluebird houses.  Katy loved to watch and photograph these colorful, charismatic thrushes throughout the year.  Soon she started to receive gifts with bluebird themes.  In her house you would notice bluebird wall hangings, bluebird mugs and dishtowels.

She enjoyed walking her dog on Bog Road close to her home. She always had miniature poodles.  Also, she volunteered at hospitals and drove for the Meals on Wheels program because she wanted to help people around her.

Katy’s legacy gift to The Salvation Army is just one example of the many ways Katy touched the lives of those in her community.

If you are interested in leaving a legacy gift, please contact Amy Anderson, Director of Planned Giving:

1-866-647-4391 ext. 234 or by email Amy.Anderson@use.salvationarmy.org