Obituary of Kathleen "Kay" (Baker) Latter

Kathleen E “Kay” Latter, 78 Teacher, Labor Leader, Of Newburyport, formerly of Beverly, Peabody, and raised in Winthrop. Surrounded by her family, Kay slipped peacefully to God after a thankfully short bout with ovarian cancer. Born on July 12, 1928, the daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Gillooly) Baker, she had just celebrated her 78th birthday. Kay’s life was a testament to helping those around her to be the best they could be; to understand that respect of the individual was key and to enjoy life to the fullest. An Alumna of Regis College, Simmons College and Harvard University, Kay had a teaching career that stretched for over 40 years, 30 for the Peabody public schools. Her main teaching focuses were on curriculums in home economics at both the junior and senior high. As part of her Master’s thesis, she and her thesis partner, Grace Fitzpatrick, developed and implemented the original Food Services program in the Peabody Public Schools, which at the time was considered a national model for culinary preparatory and occupational education. Her influence and impact on her students was far-reaching. It was not unusual for her to walk into a restaurant, banquet hall, hotel or anywhere that food was served in the New England area and have someone recognize her as “my teacher, the one who got me started.” Her skills as a seamstress supported both the classroom and the extra curricular areas as many a leader of the Drama Club knew where to go for costuming questions or problems. As Kay took care of her students, she also sought to take care of her fellow teachers. Active in the Peabody Federation of Teachers, she was president of the Local for 10 years through the late 1980’s. Her mission was to ensure that students were presented with the best learning environment and that teaching was recognized and respected as the profession that held the path to the future. She was also a 20-year member of the Executive board of the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers, serving as Vice President. In 1982, Kay was selected as a recipient of the AFL-CIO Labor Fellowship to Harvard University. This led to her participation in an exchange of labor practices with the international organized labor movement, and she traveled to Munich and Frankfurt to review and explore shared international labor practices. Kay was also a member of the North Shore Labor Council. Kay’s retirement in 1993 did not slow her down. A Eucharistic Minister and lector, she became actively involved in the liturgical and service sectors of St Alphonsis Parish in Beverly, and most recently, the Immaculate Conception Church in Newburyport. She will be fondly remembered for one of her most cherished activities, the making and embroidering of baptismal robes. She became very active in the Peabody chapter of the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians where she served as President of the and Vice president of the regional Essex County division. She was twice recognized as Irish the Woman of the Year. She was a long time member and supporter of the local Democratic City Committees in Peabody and Beverly. She also enjoyed numerous travel adventures. Ultimately, Kay’s foundation was built on the cornerstone of faith and family. Learned at the knee of her beloved parents, Kay shared with her sisters and her children the ideal that family was truly the foundation of all that mattered. She was not only sister and mother, she was best friend. Kay was the cherished wife of the late Alfred S., (Gus) Latter. She was the dear friend and companion of Donald Miller of Newburyport. She was the beloved mother and mother-in-law of Terry and Charlie Fountain of Beverly, Stephen Latter of Westwood, Mary Anne (Pecararo) Latter of Westwood, Michael and Laurie (Doswell) Latter of Belchertown, Jim Latter of Beverly and a member of the Beverly School Committee, Julie Vasile of Beverly and the late Kathy Latter of Peabody. She was the grandmother of Chris and Jo Ellen (Jesselnick) Fountain of Denver CO, Jonathan Fountain and Sara Stevens of New Haven, CT, Elizabeth Fountain of Weymouth, Greg Latter of Syracuse, Mark Latter and Caitlin Latter both of Westwood, Melanie Latter of Belchertown and Matthew Latter and Tralena Vasile both of Beverly. She was the loving sister of Margo O’Brien and Lorraine and Frank Graham all of Exeter, NH. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews as well as countless friends, colleagues and compatriots, all of whom she impacted in life. The family wishes to extend incredible thanks to the entire staff at Masoconomet Health Care and North Shore Hospice. Special thanks to the staff on Gould. A Visitation will be held at the Conway, Cahill,- Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church Street, Peabody location. on Wednesday from 4 - 8 PM. A A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 20th at 10:30 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church, Green Street, Newburyport. If preferred, donations may be made to the Peabody Federation of Teachers Scholarship Fund,24 Main St.,Peabody,MA 01960.