Marie K. Lathrop

December 23, 2021

Marie K. Lathrop, 95, of Allentown died peacefully Thursday December 23rd in the arms of her daughter at Sacred Heart Senior Living at Saucon Creek. She was the devoted daughter of Austrian immigrants Joseph and Katharine Fruhwirth of Allentown, and lived her life with a heart to make the world a brighter place everywhere she went. She earned the honor of graduating as the first female Valedictorian of Allentown Central Catholic High School, on D-Day 1944. She graduated with honors from Charles Morris Price School of Advertising, Temple Univ., and went on to begin the Advertising Dept. at The Morning Call Newspaper, where she won numerous design awards. She was the beloved wife of Stuart Lathrop for 62 years before his passing in 2018. She worked for the Morning Call Newspaper for 38 years in several positions of leadership and service to the community. She was a Director at the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, a founding member of the St. Francis of Assisi Home and School Association. Marie had many creative talents and was a notably gifted professional singer alongside her sister, Katharine. She loved to entertain, cook, collect tea cups, was a wiz at playing cards and she was a voracious reader. She was known for giving great parties, and loved being together with family. She is survived by 3 children: Son Joseph M. Lathrop and wife Carrie of Pen Argyl, son Philip S. Lathrop of Allentown, and daughter Mary L. “Katie” Martin and husband Doug of Downingtown, sister Katharine M. Borgmann of Allentown, brother Alfred Fruhwirth of Allentown, 3 grandchildren: Matthew, Victoria, and Emily Lathrop, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brother Joseph Fruhwirth Jr. and husband Stuart Lathrop. Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 PM, Tuesday, December 28 at St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church, 1046 W. Cedar Street, Allentown. Calling will be held Monday, December 27 at Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 W. Highland St., Allentown from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Tuesday at church from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Wescosville. Memorials can be made to St. Francis of Assisi Sanctuary Memorial Fund or the Union Historical Fire Society, c/o the Trexler Funeral Home, 18102.