East Lyme - Josephine (Knox) Lathrop, of Niantic, died on May 4, 2012, at Crescent Point in Niantic.

She was born on Jan. 12, 1920, in Hartford, the daughter of James W. Knox and Myrtle (Havens) Knox.

She was the widow of Donald C. Lathrop; they were married June, 28, 1941.

Mrs. Lathrop is survived by her sons, Donald C. Lathrop II and his wife, Linda, of Gales Ferry and James K. Lathrop and his wife, Terri, of Niantic; her daughters, Susan Moore and her husband, William, of Niantic and Tamsin Lathrop Maynard and partner, Susan, of Waterford; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son, Thornton H. Lathrop and her sisters, Barbara and Laura.

Mrs. Lathrop was a graduate of Wellesley College. Her grandmother got her involved with the Niantic Library at the age of 12, and she was later employed as a librarian there, retiring at the age of 65 as head librarian. She was a life member of the East Lyme Historical Society, the Niantic Bay Yacht Club, and the Descendants of the Mayflower. She was a member of the East Lyme Women's Club and the Book Club. She was an avid reader and was a member of the Woman's Auxilary of the Niantic Fire Department for years. She and her husband very much enjoyed traveling and were able to go to many areas of the world and the United States. She was also a UConn women's basketball fan. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the VNA and Crescent Point staffs for the wonderful care they gave their mother in her final days.

A funeral service will be held on at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at St. John's Episcopal Church, Main St., Niantic.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to East Lyme Public Library to help with the purchase of books.