MARY LATHRAM

LATHRAM MARY McCRACKEN LATHRAM Born in Portland, Oregon June 28, 1915, passed away April 11, 2016. She received her BA from the University of Oregon in 1936 and MA from Duke University in 1938. She taught for many years, leaving San Francisco, CA for DC the week after Pearl Harbor. She met Wade Lathram while working at the Pentagon and married in 1943. In 1948, Wade and Mary helped found the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. UUCA was an integral part of their lives and they both served as Chair of the Board of Trustees. She sang with the choir for 50 years and had a lifelong love of singing and music. As an avid learner/reader, Mary was part of a book club for 60 plus years recently featured on an NPR special. Wade joined the Foreign Service (FS) in 1952, where they served Embassies in India, Turkey and Korea. Mary worked tireless to fulfill the FS goals and later served as Chairman of newly formed Foreign Service Wives Institute for four years. 1971 began a 3 year FS inspection tour of embassies and consulates in 36 countries. Mary served on the Board for seven years and as Board President of Culpepper Garden. She also worked with the Lab School of Washington as a tutor for eight years, and from 1977-1980, served as Coordinator for the Kingsbury Center''s Northeast Training and Tutoring Program for African American women to become tutors in their own schools in Northeast Washington. In 1987 Mary and Wade moved to their new home, Goodwin House Bailey''s Crossroads, where Mary had many fulfilling roles serving her new community. At 64, Mary became an active competitive swimmer and race walker, attending local, regional and national swim meets. She enjoyed participating in the Senior Olympics, and Masters swim meets, holding the national record for the 1 hour swim for the 95 -100 year age group. Mary was predeceased by Wade, husband of 57 years, and son, David. She is survived by children, Tom (Annie), Elizabeth Gillespie (Liam) and Steve (Lorna) Neang (Rithonn) Om, and Sohkan Hing; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Mary participated in life with unbridled energy, dedicated to contributing and making a difference. Services will be held at Goodwin House Bailey''s Crossroads on Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Goodwin House Foundation and/or Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington.Services will be held at Goodwin House Bailey''s Crossroads on Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Goodwin House Foundation and/or Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington.