Katherine was a 1935 graduate of Montpelier Seminary. Following her marriage, she led an active and fulfilling life as a mother of nine children and helping her husband on the family farm. Katherine was employed by the Demeritt Co. for several years and later worked at the Vermont State Hospital in the sewing room, retiring in 1985.
Katherine enjoyed her large immediate and extended family and very much looked forward to their visits and family gatherings. She had an active mind until her death; continuing to read two daily newspapers and listening to WDEV radio each morning. She also kept in touch with family and friends via e-mail. She enjoyed doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, flowers, baking and was an accomplished cook. Conversations about family, Vermont politics, education and Duxbury's history filled her days. She took much pleasure in playing board games with her family and numerous grandchildren learned cribbage and Yahtzee at her kitchen table. She loved playing cards and had fond memories of neighborhood card parties. She warmly remembered each family member's birthday and anniversary with a personalized card and will be fondly remembered for the 32-plus quilts she so lovingly pieced and sewed for each child and grandchild.
Her memberships included the Dillingham Grange in Duxbury, the Vermont State Retired Employees Association and the Duxbury Historical Society.
She is survived by her children, Rebecca Green and her husband Burton of Duxbury, Rachel Straw and her husband Duane of Vergennes, Rodney Sherman and his wife Patricia of Duxbury, Gladys Noel and her husband Albert of Sanford, NC, Constance Dolloff and her husband Brent of Berlin, Ronald Sherman and his wife Mary of Duxbury, Theresa Marshall and her husband Roy of Waterbury Center, Kathryn Grace and her husband Robert of Waterbury, and Howard Sherman Jr. and his wife Denise of So. Hero; 23 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; a devoted sister, Barbara McGrath of Moretown; a special nephew who was like a son, Michael McGrath and his wife Linda of Moretown; her loving caregiver, Phyllis Mitchell of Duxbury; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by a brother, Frederick McGrath, and a great-grandson, Aaron Gingras.
Funeral services were held at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Waterbury on Monday, February 4, at 11 a.m. Visitation was held at the Wesley United Methodist Church on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Later interment will take place in South Duxbury Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641, or to Home Share of Central Vermont, 455 North Main Street #1114, Barre, VT 05641. To send online condolences, please visit www.perkinsparker.com. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury.
