Memories of Kate

By Norm Farr
Read at Kate's memorial service Sept. 12, 2009
For my dear friend, Katie Billings ...

I feel blessed to have known Katie for the better part of this last decade.
I met Kate, as a few of us did, through her acupuncture practice early this century. Once cured of my minor ills of the day our conversation turned to sailing and more or less stayed there for the duration of our friendship. At the time, Katie was boat-less and we were not, so at some point we all went sailing on our trimaran, Triple Scoop. Since that first sail together, our friendship was forged, loosely based on this common interest of sailing.
Katie soon bought a Bullseye to be followed by the Odyssey, a 28’ Cape Dory. Together Kate and Rich painstakingly restored this boat to better than original condition and perhaps brought it back in time a bit by replacing all of the double braid line with three strand rope and fitting the interior with very classy oil lamps including a kerosene anchor light. Katie loved this boat and her life on the water. She made the Odyssey her home. Kate took great joy in cooking hot breakfast while on board and keeping the comfort level extremely high.
We met everywhere on these local waters much like kids meeting in the neighborhood during the summer. Somewhat carefree and random. We met in Matapoisset, Quick’s Hole, Lake Tashmoo, Vineyard Haven and Hadley’s Harbor to name just a few.
Our different boats allowed us each to embrace our own idiosyncrasies. Being on the faster boat, Ann and I could better accommodate our last minute lifestyles While Kate and Rich carefully and thoughtfully planned their routes and meals. We, or I, thought nothing of passing through Woods Hole during a full foul tide, while Katie and Rich patiently waited for a slack tide before passing through the Hole.
We would often make day trips to meet them during those glorious two week vacations that Katie managed to carve out of every summer. (I still can’t figure out how to do that). We’d often show up during the second half of their cruise bringing a home cooked meal and new provisions, especially more wine and fresh vegetables, to get them through the last few days of the cruise.
Like most other aspects of Kate’s life she made sailing a very social escapade. Once, upon seeing a familiar name on a vessel entering the anchorage, she initiated a row over to the new boat, introduced herself and all of us, and very soon had us all scheduled for dinner at her house a few days later.
When we were unable to join them on the water, we enjoyed their cruises vicariously via cell phone and Google earth, sometimes to their benefit. We once called ahead to Ann’s uncle on Block Island to help get a mooring during peak season and to show them a part of the island not normally seen by the casual visitor.
Our friendship grew to encompass much more than sailing. We were always expecting that familiar call from one another. Can’t you just hear Katie saying “So what are we doing this weekend?” Kate and Rich became part of our family, and us theirs, spending Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter together. Katie was always so welcoming to Ann, her mom, Jean, and myself that we were all indeed, family.
Katie always dreamed getting off of the grid and going sailing for a few years. Perhaps that is what she is doing now.
Until we meet again Katie, I wish you fair winds and following seas.