Kathryn D. Farnsworth

SHIRLEY, MA - Kathryn Dee " Bassett" "Tenney" Farnsworth died October 17, 2010 at the age of 64 from Pancreatic Cancer. Born on the 19th of May, 1946 to the late Edward Bassett and Elizabeth "Betty" Elliott-Bassett. Kathryn was raised by her beloved maternal grandparents, Harry and Helen Dee Elliott of the Town of Pepperell, MA.

"Kathy" is survived by her brother, Edward Bassett of Mendon, MA as well as her three children: John Tenney of Nashua, NH, Bonnie Perron of Ayer, MA, and Dawna Lahtinen of Ashburnham, MA. A well respected foster care provider for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Children and Families, Kathy also became the legal guardian of Susan Carlson of Shirley, MA, Kristin Stone of Fitchburg, MA, Nathan Webster of Shirley, MA and Danielle Wilson of Shirley, MA. Kathy also has ten loving grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her adored grandson, Alan Jokinen, as well as her brother, Earl Bassett. All of Kathy's children and grandchildren will miss their "meme" dearly.
She is also survived by many close friends and colleagues: Peggy Scholefield, her "soul-sister," Reita Colard, a lifetime friend, Sallie Mackie and Deborah Vires, loyal colleagues, and her dear caretaker, friend and nurse, Holly Kiluk.

Kathy obtained a Master's Degree in Counseling from Springfield College and was a licensed mental health counselor. A foster parent for DCF for twenty-nine years, Kathy received the Foster Parent of the Year Award in 1987 as well as the auspicious Goldie Roger's Award in 1998. She was a foster parent recruiter and trainer for DCF since 1985. She was also one of the first foster parent liaisons in the State of Massachusetts.

Kathy cared for some five hundred foster children and was instrumental in helping children in the system obtain permanent, loving homes. Kathy cared for children as young as toddlers through adolescents with multiple needs, proving no child was too young, too old, or too needy to be healed. Kathy very much "made a difference" in the lives of all she cared for, her children, foster children, friends, and relatives. All who had the pleasure of knowing Kathy will miss her wit, wisdom, and good will.

Calling hours will be held Monday, October 25, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the MARCHAND FUNERAL HOME, 16 Pleasant Street, Pepperell, MA. Burial to follow at Shirley Center Cemetery, Shirley, MA. Friends and family are welcome to gather following the services a the Piccolinos Restaurant, 4 Mill St., Shirley, directly off of Front St. in Shirley Village.