Rangeley Public Library honored the late Katherine McDavitt, a 1980 graduate of Rangeley Lakes Regional School, and recognized a donation given in her memory, during its annual Summer Celebration Thursday, Aug. 14.

“Kathy grew up in our family of four kids in Winchester, MA visiting Rangeley on weekends during ski season and for vacations with relatives in the summer. She moved to Rangeley in 1977 to attend high school at RLRS,” Wendy Dodge, McDavitt’s sister, said.

After graduation, McDavitt attended Syracuse University.

“Tragically, we lost Kathy in 1983 when she was hit by a car while walking home from the university computer center,” Wendy Dodge, McDavitt’s sister said.

The McDavitt Family Charitable Trust gifted $25,000 to the library in her honor.

According to Dodge, McDavitt was an extraordinary reader, scholar, activity participant, volunteer, family member and friend.

“While in Rangeley, Kathy participated in all arenas of academics, sports, drama, student government ad was a member of the National Honor Society, Daughters of the American Revolution representative and valedictorian,” Dodge said. “Kathy was a compassionate and understanding friend. Even as an adolescent, she had the ability to balance academics, activities, friendship and family.”

She was also a regular contributor to The Rangeley Highlander.

Dodge shared a portion of her sister’s valedictorian address:

“Diplomas are a stepping stone to bigger goals. Goals give a person a direction to follow. Once headed in a direction, a person can be a master of  himself, moving toward his ultimate goal. Think of two swimmers. One expends a great deal of energy going around in circles and treading water. The other paces himself toward his target. He has a direction and will master his goal. Which swimmer will you be in the midstream of the 1980’s?”

After switching majors to computer science, McDavitt increased her course load and was on track to graduate early.

“Clearly, in the few years after she left Rangeley, Kathy was not treading water,” Dodge said. “Kathy was strategically working toward her goal of pursuing a career in computer science. Oh, how she would have gobbled up the exponential growth of computer science.”

Mary Richards, president of the library Board of Directors, said, “We are very grateful for the donation and we are going to honor it by providing additional literacy programing for middle school students, which we currently do not have the ability to do so.”

Dodge said the McDavitt family was thankful that children’s programs at the library would celebrate her sister’s memory.

“Kathy was an extraordinary reader and storyteller who was passionate about learning. It is our hope that these programs enrich and promote creativity and the lover of reading and learning to Rangeley youth,” she said.

The trust made additional $25,000 gifts to two area organizations in support of Rangeley youth — Saddleback Ski Club and Rangeley Friends of the Arts.

“Kathy skied at Saddleback all her life. She loved Saddleback, as does our family. Her dad, Don, was a ski instructor at Saddleback and it is were the four McDavitt kids, but especially Kathy, became strong skiers with a passion for the sport. The McDavitt family feels that providing this opportunity for Rangeley school students to participate in snow sports is a wonderful tribute to Kathy’s memory.

The funds provided to RFA will provide the opportunity for Rangeley youth to participate in the arts through lessons and arts cam activities that are offered in the summer.

The Summer Celebration, in its 2oth year, is the library’s biggest fundraiser. The sold out event included live music by Don Mantovani, food by Classic Provisions, and desserts by Katie Bakes. A silent auction and local restaurant raffle were held, followed by a live auction, called by Chris Farmer.