Helen Coy Lathrop, 82, lifelong resident of Westerly and Weekapaug, passed away after a lengthy illness on July 27th. She was the wife of the late Francis C. Lathrop, Jr. She is survived by her five children, Elizabeth L. Baldwin of Arlington, MA, Sallie L. Klemm of Melrose, MA, Arthur H. Lathrop, John H. Lathrop, and H. Margaret Anderson, all of Westerly, their respective spouses, Edward Baldwin, Hans Klemm, Carol Lathrop, Catherine Lathrop, David Anderson and her grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Baldwin, Karl, William, and Martha Klemm, Melissa, Nathan, and Nicholas Lathrop, Daniel, James, Steven, and John (Jack) Lathrop, Jr. and Christopher and Thomas Anderson. She also leaves her brother, Arthur H. Coy and his wife Susan of Weekapaug, her brother-in law, John C. Lathrop, MD of East Greenwich and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Lathrop attended the Westerly public schools and graduated from Smith College in 1945. She studied at the Boston University School of Education and was a teacher in Boston and Cambridge for several years before returning to Westerly. She was an active volunteer in many community organizations throughout her life.
She was an active member of Christ Church in Westerly where she was a teacher and the Program Supervisor of the Sunday School. She was a Girl Scout leader, and a member of the Children’s Friend and Service Advisory Committee and a member of the Board of Directors of St. Mary’s Children’s Home in Providence. She was elected to the Westerly School Committee and served as Chairman and was also a member of the School Building Study Committee.
She was always active at the Westerly Hospital, serving as a member and President of the Hospital Aid Association, and as Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Westerly Hospital. She was Secretary of the CHOW board. She was also on several committees of the Hospital Association of RI.
She also served as a Trustee of the Westerly Library Board, President of the Westerly College Club, Secretary of the Weekapaug Foundation, member and alumnae interviewer of the RI Smith College Club, President of the State Street School PTA, member of the Chorus of Westerly, and President of the Westerly Historical Society.
Mrs. Lathrop was involved in fundraising for several organizations, including Large Gifts Co-Chair for the YMCA Building Fund, Co-Chair of the Community Fund (United Way), and member of the Westerly Hospital Building Campaign.
In 1982, she was chosen to receive the YMCA Service to Youth Award.
In addition to her many community activities, Mrs. Lathrop enjoyed her family, friends, gardening, sailing, camping, painting, reading, and traveling.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 6th at 9 am at Christ Church, 7 Elm Street, Westerly. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Westerly Hospital Foundation, 25 Wells St., Westerly, RI 02891 or to the Westerly Education Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 1219, Westerly, RI 02891. The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, historic downtown Mystic is assisting the family.
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