Catherine Ann Getman, of Newton passed away Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the age of 79. Loving mother of Mary Getman-Netto and her husband John Netto, Kathy (Getman) Kalesti and Michael Kalesti, Ann "Annie" Getman, Elaine (Getman) Stern and her wife Rebecca Nye, Irene "Renie" Getman, and Edward F. Getman. Dear sister to Joan Shea and Frances Melanson, she is also survived by her four grandchildren Genevieve and Sophie McLeod, and Marcus and Annick Kalesti as well as her niece Melissa Melanson.

Catherine was a lifelong advocate for children. She was one of the original founders of the Head Start Program, promoting school readiness and supporting the development of the whole child. She worked as a child care provider at the Italian Home for Children in Boston, and was a lifelong volunteer for a variety of causes. Catherine loved her books, her music and spending time near the ocean.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 13 at 10:30 AM in the Newton Cemetery Chapel, 791 Walnut St., Newton Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations in Catherine's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org