MARSHA JILL LATHAM ROWE

HARWICH, Mass. — Marsha Jill Latham Rowe, 71 of Harwich, Mass., and South Starksboro, Vt., passed away peacefully and surrounded by love Wednesday, May 22, 2024, after stoically enduring many years of declining health.

Marsha was born June 17, 1952, in Hyannis, Mass., to the late John G. and Betty Brackett Latham. She grew up in Brewster, Mass., and graduated from Nauset regional High School in 1970. Marsha was a naturally gifted athlete, and in 2016 was inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame. She graduated from UMass-Amherst in 1975 with a B.S. in Elementary Physical Education.

During her college years she worked as a summer Waitress at Thompson’s Clam Bar in Harwichport, Mass. After college Marsha worked as a mail carrier at the Brewster, Mass., post office, as an in-home daycare provider, as a preschool teacher, and as a bookkeeper for her family’s plumbing business. For several years she was a host mother for competitive figure skaters training of Cape Cod.

Marsha was a loving and devoted mother who fully supported and cheered on her daughters in all of their endeavors. She was particularly involved in her daughter Morgan’s figure skating career, accompanying her to many national and international competitions, and logged many miles on the family car to attend her daughter Marnie’s college field hockey games. In 2009, Middlebury College presented her with the Robert Gorneau Award for her exceptional support of the field hockey team.

Marsha spent many happy times at the family’s vacation home in South Starksboro, Vt., bringing her young daughters for extended summer stays, and in later years, enjoying the panoramic view of the Green Mountains from her deck. She particularly loved dining at Mary’s restaurant in Bristol, Vt., where the Mack family always greeted her with warm hospitality. Friends in the area included Kevin and Wendy Puls of Bristol, Vt., Pam and the late Paul Morse, of Starksboro, Vt., Katharine and Gene DeLorenzo of Cornwall, Vt. And Caroline McBride of Middlebury, Vt.

Marsha is survived by her husband and high school sweetheart Matt, who she married in 1978. She is also survived by daughter Morgan Woolf and husband Gary of Boston, Mass.; daughter Marnie Potish and husband Rob of Winchester, Mass.; and grandchildren Rosalie and Sage Potish of Winchester, Mass., and Tyler Woolf of Boston, Mass. Survivors also include brother Jack Latham and his wife Jill of Brewster, Mass.; sister-in-law Mary Jean Espulgar-Rowe of California; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by brother-in-law Jon Rowe of California.

Marsha had many relatives in the area, including aunt Althea Bremmer, formerly of Hinesburg, Vt.; cousin Susan Bremner Smith and husband Pete of Essex Junction, Vt.; cousin Sally Mead and husband John of Hinesburg, Vt.; cousin Sandra Smith of Orleans, Mass.; and cousin Tom Latham and wife Margie of Middlebury, Vt. ◊