Kerry Lynn Lathrop

Kerry Lynn Lathrop, Beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher and friend slipped peacefully into the presence of Jesus on New Year's Day. A longtime resident of Monrovia, Kerry was born in Lansing, Michigan on August 27, 1951 to Harold and Nancy McDavid. She grew up in Farmington, Michigan and attended Farmington High School, graduating in 1969.She went on to attend Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University, graduating from there in 1973 with a degree in special education and a teaching credential. Kerry met Kevin Lathrop in 1966 at a Civil Air Patrol meeting while still in high school. They began dating in 1970, and were married in Southfield, Michigan on May 20, 1972. Kerry began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher in Wolverine, Michigan in 1974.After two years there, she and Kevin joined the Peace Corps and began the adventure of their lives. They served in Nicaragua for two years where she had a rewarding experience training special education teachers in Leon from 1976 to 1978. In 1979 they returned to Central America and began teaching in a private English-language school in San Jose. The following year they began their family, adopting Victoria in 1980, Andrew in 1983 and giving birth to Megan in 1984. Kerry and family returned to the U.S. in 1985, settling in Lake Worth, Florida for a year. The following year found them moving to Monrovia, where Kerry taught third grade at Bethany Christian School. In 1987 she accepted a position at Potrero Elementary School in El Monte as a bilingual Resource Specialist. She continued in El Monte (later at Loma Elementary School) until her early retirement in 2005. Kerry was diagnosed with Parkinsaon's disease in August, 2001 and the next ten years were filled with increasing challenges to her health. In spite of these struggles she continued to maintain a bright outlook on life, providing friends and family with many cherished memories. Her ready smile, gentle spirit and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband Kevin of 39 years, daughters Victoria (Tory) and Megan, son Andrew, sister Melissa (Robert) Huntoon, brother Geoffrey (Carrie) McDavid, and mother Nancy (Donald) McDavid-Nesbitt. A celebration of Kerry's life will take place at Sierra Madre Congregational Church on Friday, January 20th at 5:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lathrop Memorial Fund at Sierra Madre Congregational Church in Kerry's name. When Tomorrow Starts Without Me.... When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today,while thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that an Angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready, in heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind, all those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, for all life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, so much yet to do, it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, just even for awhile, I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized, that this could never be, for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you". Today for life on earth is past, but here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past. But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things, you knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free. So won't you take my hand and share my life with me? So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart , for every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart. David M. Romano