Suffield Obituary: Kathleen Herter, 80

Kathleen A. (O’Keefe) Herter, 80, of Suffield, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2015 at Hartford Hospital surrounded by her family.

Kathy, daughter of the late Charles O’Keefe and Anna (Hopkins) O’Keefe, was born February 7, 1935 in Flushing New York. She lived the majority of her adult life in Enfield Ct where she and her late husband, Lawrence A. Herter raised their two daughters and two sons. They were parishioners of Holy Family Church and lived 50+ years of real life and love. Kathy was an active, social and spirited person who delighted all. She fit a career of data processing in and around the raising of her family and was devoted to the activities of her children and later on, grandchildren.

Nothing stood in the way of a family member’s passion to pursue a skill as Kathy proved when her eldest daughter wished to play baseball during a time when the only option was town little league for boys. Though she didn’t succeed in getting her daughter into little league, she did fight for a field to promote girls softball and so the Enfield Petticoat Softball League was born. It started with two teams and blossomed into two leagues (Jr. and Sr.) that competed with area CT towns. There are still many adult women in the area that remember their time learning to play the game with Coach Herter. Her other passions were reading, swimming and breaking into any released (or made up) finger snapping song when she sensed the need to lighten the mood or lift a spirit.

Kathy is predeceased by brothers Charles, Robert, Jack and Gene O’Keefe. She is survived by daughters Susan Boucher of Suffield, Theresa Forde and her husband Richard of Simsbury, Lawrence Herter and his wife Ellen of Ellington, and Joseph Herter and his wife Kimberly of Ashland, Ma. She also leaves 9 precious grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren who will cherish their unforgettable times with ‘Nanny’. Kathy also leaves many loving nieces and nephews as well as dear friends in the community.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff and residents of Suffield By The River, who provided our mother/grandmother with compassionate care, companionship, and safety. We are very thankful.

Relatives and friends may gather on Saturday, October 24, at 9 a.m. at the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, Enfield, for a procession to Holy Family Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Enfield Street Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Association (m.cancer.org/donate).