Kathryn Davidson Keck

Kathryn Davidson Keck, 1919-2006
Brownsville lost a grand lady with the passing of Katie Keck. She died suddenly on January 11th at The Devonshire, a senior living community in Mount Lebanon where she and her devoted husband Martin "Bud" Keck had been living.

Katie was born in Brownsville on New Year's Day in 1919. She grew up here, going to elementary and secondary school in Brownsville. She was an active young woman, beautiful and bubbly. A cheerleader in high school, she graduated from Brownsville High School in 1937. She developed friendships with other young people from Brownsville who also lived most of their lives here. Her only brother Edward Davidson went to high school in Brownsville before spending most of his adult life in Uniontown and then Weirton, West Virginia.

Katie and Bud courted during her high school days and were married on October 4th, 1941. Much of their early married life was in the Navy which took them to Penniscola Florida and Providence, Rhode Island. She stayed in Brownsville during World War II when Bud was deployed to the Pacific. She gave birth to her son, Chad in 1945, and her daughter Kimbro in 1951, both births being in the Brownsville Hospital. She gave her children a strong spiritual foundation through their membership at the First Presbyterian Church of Brownsville.

A stay-a-home mother when her children were young, she lived on Prospect Street in Brownsville and subsequently in Hiller. After the family moved to Malden, Katie worked for the Hillman Barge Company in Brownsville. However she really became ensconced in her work when she moved to The California State Teachers College as the Secretary to the Science Department. She worked there until her retirement and made many friends among the students and faculty. She had the joy of being at California State during the matriculation of her daughter Kimbro. She was honored to join the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority along with Kimbro and was beloved and respected as the house mother.

She was well traveled, coming often to West Point where her son, Chad went to college. Her spirit and energy made her a favorite among the cadets and she kept a life-long dialogue with some of Chad's classmates. She visited the state of California often as various family members lived in California. She was familiar with New York, visiting Chad during his residency and attending Kimbro's grand wedding at the Pierre Hotel in 1986. International travel included multiple trips to London to visit Kimbro and her grandchildren, vacation on the Continent with Kim, and exotic travel to Nigeria and India with Kimbro and her husband.

The Kecks maintained a family home in Malden for more than 40 years. For many years they spent their winter months in Punta Gorda, Florida. Here Katie found golf as an enjoyable pastime and as usual developed many friends and social contacts in the golf community. In her later years, she became an avid golf fan and followed the TV exploits of her favorite golfers. She was a member of the Nemacolin Country Club for nearly 50 years, and took great joy in watching the swim team develop and compete during the their early days. She used the Country Club for special occasion dining and she enjoyed golfing with her many women friends, both younger and older.

The aging process had its effect on her mobility requiring the couple to limit their travel and take residence in a senior living community. Her last time was spent at the Devonshire of Mount Lebanon where her spirited wit and engaging sociability opened new friendships as she enjoyed playing bridge and other card games with her neighbors. She maintained tasteful style and enjoyed shopping for nice fashion and dressing she and Bud for social occasions.

She was able to entertain her son and daughter along with her grandchildren from London during the recent Holiday season. It was a joyful time for all.

Kathryn is survived by her Husband, Martin Whitney Keck, her children, Chad Whitney Keck and Kimbro Ann Thadani, five grandchildren, Martin Whitney Keck II, Mathew James Howard Keck, Kayleigh Ann Thadani, Krishan Murli Thadani and Kyle Whitney Thadani, and one great grandson, Mateo Keck. She leaves many wonderful nieces and nephews, a devoted cousin, Virginia Quarrick and too many friends to name. She was very proud of the accomplishments of her family and served as inspiration and a guide post for the younger generations. She will be missed by all.

Friends are welcome to say farewell at the NOVAK FUNERAL HOME, 515 Front Street Brownsville, Pa on Saturday, January 14th from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A funeral service will be celebrated at Novak's on Sunday, January 15th at 11:30 am. Interment will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill, Pa. Contributions can be made in Katie's name to her friends' charity of choice.

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