Katya H. Davey, 81, a well-loved resident of her adopted hometown of Kennebunk, Maine, died peacefully on June 1, 2018, at Seal Rock Health Care in Saco, Maine, following a period of failing health.

Of Swiss/Russian heritage, Katya was born in Europe April 23, 1937 and in her early years was often separated from her family by the vicissitudes of conflict during World War II and the chaotic conditions in the aftermath. As a young adult she lived, studied, and traveled extensively in Europe prior to coming to the United States in 1963 to live and work in New York. Katya went on to use her multi-lingual skills in various positions in the tourist and airline industries and in 1965 married Robert Davey, now deceased.

In 1978, Dr. James Watson, recognizing Katya’s incredible ability to make any house feel like home and in need of a resident manager for the newly opened Robertson Guest House on the grounds of the Banbury Conference Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Lloyd Harbor, NY, put the care and feeding of the scientists who came from around the world to participate in meetings there into her capable hands. She will be deeply missed by all in her Cold Spring Harbor Lab family, with whom she maintained close ties in retirement, and warmly remembered by the thousands of guests she greeted at the front door of Robertson House with a warm hug and a kiss on each cheek.

After more than 25 years of caring for Robertson House, in 2004 Katya was able to fulfill her dream of retiring to a home of her own. She chose Kennebunk as the final destination of her life lived around the world to be near her adopted extended family, a former colleague and dear friend of 40 years who had relocated to Maine with her family a few years earlier.

Katya soon became a well-known member of the Kennebunk community. An avid reader, she enjoyed spending many hours at the Library, and accompanied by Max (the Bichon she helped care for during the day) she frequented shops and businesses throughout the town, taking him places no Bichon was supposed to go. But no one could say no when confronted with Katya’s charm and smile. She is survived and will be sorely missed by her adopted family and the many friends she was often seen dining with around town. With the help of one of these friends, Katya was able to fulfill another lifetime dream when in 2009 she took the oath of allegiance to her adopted country and became a U.S. citizen.

She will also be fondly remembered by the many who cared for her at Huntington Common in the last several years of her life and who were enthralled by the many stories of the places she had lived and people she had met and touched by her warmth.

According to her wishes, Katya was cremated, and on July 29th, weather permitting, her ashes will be interred in the sea that both separates and links the two very different lives she lived.
Due to the limited space on the boat, the burial/memorial service is by invitation only. Should you wish to share a memory or leave a message of condolence that can be read on your behalf at the memorial service, please leave your message on Katya’s Book of Memories page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Should you wish to make a memorial contribution in honor of Katya and her lifelong passion for science, please consider a donation to the Watson School of Biological Sciences at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (WSBS/CSHL). Donations should be sent to the Development Office, Luke Building, 1 Bungtown Rd., Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 and marked In Memory of Katya Davey.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043. www.bibberfuneral.com