Read Morton Northen

NORTHEN Read Morton Northen, 81, died peacefully, Wednesday, November 22, 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents, Katherine Lindner Northen and William Morton Northen; and his first wife of 35 years, Janet Pusey Northen. He is survived by his present wife of 20 years, Catherine McGurn Northen; brother, David Max Northen and wife, Tinsley; sister, Marjorie Northen Fowlkes; and cousin, Katherine Jacobson. Read's children include: Elizabeth Read Northen and partner, Nina, Read Morton Northen Jr. and wife, Ellen, Janet Northen Patterson and husband, Phillip, Mimi Northen Holt and husband, Malcom. Grandchildren include: Sarah Brucker and Blair Northen, Van, Dory and Mimi Patterson, Lucie and Betsy Rhoads. Stepchildren include: John McGurn and wife, Anne, Artie McGurn, Katrina Parkinson, Teresa Davis and husband, George, Monica Walsh and husband, Dave and Chris McGurn. Read is also survived by several nephews, nieces, twelve step-grandchildren; and devoted caregivers Cynthia Fobbs and daughter, Lena. Born September 21, 1925, Read graduated Thomas Jefferson High School in 1943, and the University of Alabama in 1947, earning a bachelor's degree in commerce and business administration with honors. He was president of Sigma Phi Epsilon and a member of the football and golf teams. Read was president of W. Morton Northen Company and served as president of The Richmond Builders' Exchange from 1978 to 1981. He retired from O'Ferrall Company in 1994. Read was president of the Richmond Home for Boys from 1963 to 1968. He was a member of the Country Club of Virginia and Second Baptist Church. A private family burial service will occur at Hollywood Cemetery on Monday, 2 p.m., November 27. A memorial service will be held at Second Baptist Church, 9614 River Road at 3 p.m. Suggested remembrances are the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls, 8716 W. Broad Street, Richmond, Va., 23294, and the Alzheimers Association Greater Richmond Chapter, 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, Va., 23060.