Katherine Marie Latif

Katherine Latif, also called Kathy by many and Kate by a select few, was surrounded by her family when she went home to the Lord at the age of 79. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Kathy was born to Jack and Tina Garcia and raised in Turlock. She attended Sacred Heart School and was in the first graduating class in 1959! Kathy worked at Souza's Furniture until she moved to South Lake Tahoe. There she met and married Fernie Whiffen in 1971. They moved to Escalon in 1973 and then to Turlock, after her daughter, Shelly, was born. After moving back, Kathy worked for JS West Furniture for nearly 25 years. Her husband, Fernie, passed away in 1986. In 1993, Kathy married Chet Latif. He passed away in 1998.
Kathy was a strong Portuguese woman who loved her family and friends. She had a sense of humor that would make people laugh. Her faith in almighty God was not shaken in her life's many trials, especially being diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1993 and living with it for over 30 years. Kathy had to retire from JS West due to her Parkinson's, but it didn't stop her from enjoying a successful career with Mary Kay. She was always put together from her clothes to her makeup and loved helping others do the same with Mary Kay, until her Parkinson's prevented her from doing so. Another thing that Kathy loved to do was going to youth football games to watch her granddaughter, Cameron, do cheerleading.
Throughout her life, Kathy was a member of several local organizations including Turlock Business Girls, Parents Without Partners, Turlock Parkinson Support Group, Our Lady of Fatima, Sacred Heart Church in Turlock, and St. Jude in Ceres.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Tina Garcia, and husbands Fernie Whiffen and Chet Latif. She is survived by her daughter, Shelly Beck, 3 granddaughters, 1 great grandson, 2 great granddaughters, and sister, Margie Wedge.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent De Paul Society at Sacred Heart Church in Turlock, or a charity of your choice. Thank you!
Visitation will be held Friday, January 24 at 5:00pm and Rosary at 6:00pm at Allen Mortuary.
A Catholic funeral service will be held Saturday, January 25 at 1:00pm also at Allen Mortuary.