BRUNSWICK — Katherine Bunker Pew died in Brunswick, Maine, on March 23, 2017, two months short of her 101st birthday. Kathy was born in Calais, Maine on May 23, 1916, the daughter of Willard Hiram and Kate Belle (Weeks) Bunker. She lived in Cape Elizabeth, Maine for many years and in Durham, New Hampshire from 1974-1992, before moving back to Maine and the Brunswick area.

A 1933 graduate of the Oak Grove School in Vassalboro, Maine and received her degree in psychology in 1937 from the University of Maine at Orono. She also graduated from the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston, Massachusetts in 1938 and Westbrook College School of Nursing in 1975. She was a Registered Nurse.

During World War II, she served as a Red Cross Nurse’s Aid in Malden, Massachusetts and was Assistant Chairman of the Nurse’s Aids for the City of Malden Red Cross as well as at Waltham Regional Hospital for injured soldiers on Saturdays. She was past president of the Junior Aid Society of Malden Hospital and in 1950, was elected to the Board of Trustees of that hospital.

While living in Cape Elizabeth, she served as president of the Women’s Board at Maine Medical Center, where she had been a corporator of the hospital for 35 years and served on its Board of Trustees for two years.

She was an active member of the Board of the American Cancer Society for several years and served as State Chairman for two consecutive years. She actively participated in the American Cancer Society’s B.S.E. program, traveling many miles throughout Cumberland County and even appeared on television.

A member of the State Street Church in Portland, she sang in the choir for 8 years. One of her favorite volunteer jobs was with the Portland Symphony.

In Durham, New

Hampshire, she was a member of the Community Church and served as Chairman of Nursing and Health Services for the Durham Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1978-1983. She also volunteered with Strafford Hospice.

In 1985, she compiled and edited tapes and stories told by her father, Dr. W. H. Bunker of York and Calais. The small book was entitled “Salt Water Surgeon.”

She was predeceased by her husband of 23 years, Richard H. Pew; and her sisters Madeline Russ and Ruth Ellis, both of Maine; and a step-son, Richard Pew, Jr., of Yarmouth. She is survived by 3 sons: Andrew Berry; Richard Berry, Jr.; and Thomas Berry; all of Maine; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and a step-daughter, Sarah Pew of Maine.

There will be a family memorial gathering at Thornton Oakes in Brunswick in May.

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