Kathy Reticker Obituary

Name: Service for Kathy Reticker
Start: 2016-10-23T17:00:00.000Z
Location: UTEC

Kathy Reticker, age 66 died at her home surrounded by family on September 25, 2016 of pancreatic cancer. As the oldest of 11 children, Kathy has always been a leader. Her vision for what is possible, her belief in what is right, and her compassion for others shaped how she approached her work and her life. She was a lifelong advocate for children and their families, starting with supporting runaway children at Project Place in Boston, serving families at the Department of Children and Families, and inspiring a sense of creativity and wonder as the Executive Director of Concord Childrens Center. Most recently, she was the Executive Director of Acre Family Child Care, an organization that supports women running home-based child care businesses. In her own words she described Acre as the story of women realizing their dreams and building a strong community. Kathy fostered a sense of community in everything she did. She built bridges between the Lowell and Concord communities through her role as a board member of the Greely Foundation. She inspired the next generation of non profit leaders through teaching courses at the BU Institute for Non Profit Leadership and Management. She promoted the arts through her board membership at Emerson Umbrella. For all of this work, Kathy was selected as 2016 Woman of the Year by the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club. Kathy is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Jack Flynn, her children Nathan and Julia Reticker-Flynn, her daughter in law Pamela Basto, her 10 younger siblings Gini, Lisa, Bob, Mary Beth, Theresa, Peter, Paul, Tim, Meg, and Amy and their respective spouses, her aunt Laureen McKirnan, seven cousins, 37 nieces and nephews and 15 great nieces and nephews. She will be lovingly remembered and missed as the matriarch of this large family, who each sought her guidance and wisdom. To her friends, Kathy was an honest, genuine, and loyal companion who brought out the best in everyone. She will be missed by many. Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Kathy on Sunday, October 23 at 1:00 pm at the UTEC, 35 Warren St., Lowell. In lieu of followers, memorials can be made to Acre Family Child Care, 55 Middle St, Lowell, MA 01852. Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, Concord Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, Concord. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit: www.concordfuneral.com.

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Published by The Concord Journal from Oct. 1 to Oct. 13, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathy Reticker

Sponsored by Concord Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

4 Entries

Christine Gerzon

October 23, 2016

Dear Jack and family,

I was at the memorial for Kathy today and I found it to be such a beautiful tribute to her. It helped me know her better and to admire her even more than I already did. She touched so many people's lives including mine.

I wanted to tell you a story about how she showed me such love when I asked for her help. She did not hesitate for one second. I owe her so much for her generosity and kindness. I will never forget what she did for me. I did not have a chance to speak to you today because there were so many others surrounding you. I will emai you.

When I retired, she gave me a beautiful stained glass window hanging of a star which I placed in a window in my home office. The day she died, I looked at the door and saw a rainbow reflecting from the star which I had never seen before and I knew that she was transitioning to another place and that she was safe.

I hope that today's tribute will hep you as you move through this difficult time without her by your side. I like to think she is dancing the eternal dance waiting for the rest of us....

With love,

Chris (McVinney) Gerzon
founding mother of the Concord Children's Center

Mary Beth Donnellan Morelli

October 17, 2016

To Kathy's family, I am so sorry to hear of Kathy's passing and send my sympathy and prayers. I knew Kathy long ago as a classmate at Carmel High School and as freshmen at Bradley University. Kathy was the "whole package": smart, fun and friendly. I am amazed but not surprised by her many achievements. The seeds of social justice were planted at Carmel where our priests and nuns influenced us to work for civil rights and for the rights of migrant workers. And I am not surprised that Kathy was an advocate for children. She actually influenced me in my career choice of speech/language pathology--a career she contemplated at one time. As I passed milestones in my career of 44 years, I often mentally thanked Kathy for suggesting the profession.

Kathy's passing leaves a hole in our Carmel alumni hearts, but we are all better for having known her.
God Bless you.

Laura Brody

October 10, 2016

To the entire Reticker family,
Kathy was my group leader during my participation at the BU mgt and leadership program. Her guidance and wisdom, delivered in the most unassuming of ways, contributed greatly to my success. She also shared her appreciation of Lowell which led me to consider it a few years ago when looking for a new home. I had been meaning to thank her for that. She was an extraordinary woman. I am so sorry for your loss and for anyone who had the honor of knowing her.

October 7, 2016

Dear Jack,

I just heard about Kathy. It seems like just yesterday we were
in Pilates class together and I was helping sell your home. She
was a beautiful person and it was an honor to have known her.

With my deepest sympathy,

With love,

Jeanne Burton

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