Ann Marie (Murphy) Ladetto, 91
Ann Marie (Murphy) Ladetto, 91, of South Dartmouth died June 23, 2026 after a brief illness at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, MA. She was the wife of the late Victor J. Ladetto.
Born in Lynn, MA, she was the daughter of the late Frank L. and the late Margaret M. (Walsh) Murphy. She grew up in New Bedford, MA and cherished her long-term friendships with the neighborhood kids. She was frequently accompanied in the neighborhood by her beloved dog, Peter Murphy. She received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA and did graduate work in chemistry at Northeastern University.
Ann Marie often said, "chemistry is life!" She instilled the scientific method in all; whether scientifically curious or not. She was a trailblazer for women in science. She was a chemist at Tracerlab, Inc., Waltham, MA and was the head of the analytic lab. She later became a chemistry teacher at Dartmouth High School. Generations of students benefited from her "real" labs and strict teaching with several returning to say they were well prepared for college. You could frequently find her tutoring a student at the dining room table or over Zoom in later years.
She was a member of the American Chemical Society, the New England Association of Chemistry Teachers, the National Education Association, and the Massachusetts Teachers Association. She received the Northeastern Section of the American Chemistry Society Award for Excellence in Teaching Chemistry and was also inducted into its Aula Laudis Society. She received the Sigma Xi Scientific Society of University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Award for Dedication to Teaching of Science. She was the first person to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Region 3 Science Fair for the longest running judge. She judged into her mid 80's.
Service was important to Ann Marie. She was the Scholarship Chairman and a President of the College Club of New Bedford. She was devoted to advancing young women in their academic pursuits. She was the curator and a cofounder of the Dartmouth Art Gallery.
Ann Marie was an accomplished watercolor and pottery artist. She was the first out of state artist to be asked to exhibit at the Ogunquit Maine art gallery. She admired her teacher, Louis Sylvia, and focused on nautical paintings; masts and riggings were drawn exactly to scale. She enjoyed chemistry conferences that merged the science of art and could tell you all the elements that composed a particular color of paint or glaze.
Ann Marie was proud of her Irish heritage and inherited the gift of the gab. She cherished time spent with the Walsh and Hearne families and her "adopted" Irish son, Stephen Fox. She loved to tell wait staff that she waitressed to pay for college and she appreciated them. Ann Marie always told her companions, "We need to leave a good tip!" She especially loved to ask if workers were students, what school they attended, and what type of chemistry class they took. No matter who met Ann Marie, they were instantly drawn to her kindness and interest in their wellbeing. She always remained optimistic and positive.
Ann Marie played guard for the Holy Family High School basketball team. Her nickname was The Bumblebee because she buzzed around the court. Her favorite team was the Golden State Warriors basketball team with Stephen Curry as her favorite player of all time. She could quote you basketball stats and loved to discuss professional basketball team standings.
Her greatest source of joy were her children and grandchildren. She loved to talk about their accomplishments and kindness. Survivors include a son, Dr. John V. Ladetto and his wife Dr. Stephanie M. Peduto of Cumberland, RI, a daughter Dr. Katherine A. Ladetto and her husband, Dr. Maciej T. Knapczyk of Beverly, MA, granddaughter, Dr. Allison G. Ladetto of Providence, RI and grandson, SGT Reece J. Ladetto (USAR) of Pittsburgh, PA, granddaughters, Margaret S. and Izabella V. Knapczyk of Beverly, MA, nieces Katherine M., Margaret M., and Joan E. Andersen, nephews, Stephen E. and Captain John P. Anderson, and several cousins in Counties Kilkenny, Waterford, and Dublin, Ireland.
She was the mother of the late David M. Ladetto, sister of the late Joan E. Anderson and sister-in-law of the late Albert F. Anderson
The family would like to thank Ann Marie's devoted care givers, Glenna Terwilliger and Mimosa Gorenca, and the staff of The Girdler House, Beverly Hospital, and Kaplan Family Hospice House for their compassionate care.
Her wake will be at the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, MA, on Friday, July 10th from 4-7 pm. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, 795 Dartmouth St., South Dartmouth, MA, on Saturday, July 11th at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The Girdler House, 78 Lothrop Street, Beverly, MA 01915, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing and a supportive community for older women. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
