Age 67. 1050 Salem Street, Malden, MA. Born (as Kate W. Swett) on 3/16/1875, in Eastport, ME. "Trapped in burning building" (death certificate). Grove service food checker and cashier. Known as Katherine. Also known by her birth name "Kate." Was standing at her cellar station when fire broke. According to Melody Lounge bar waiter and survivor Harry Kirker, age 48 (Born 1/02/1894. Died 3/19/1970, age 76. Last residence Boston), when the latter asked where the fire extinguisher was located she at first responded (quote): "Stop it. Stop your noise" (Boston Fire Dept. inquest, 12/01/1942). Escaped safely with service liquor checker Mrs. A. Cecil Mahoney, age 51 (Born 4/12/1891. Died 2/16/1968, age 76. Last residence Peaks Island, ME), but turned back, "...when someone mentioned the money" (Malden Evening News, 11/30/1942). Waiter and survivor Morrill Guerin, age 25 (Born 8/07/1917. Died 1/23/1996, age 78. Last residence Miami, FL), to the Boston Police, 12/12/1942: "...I went over to the checker and asked her to go out and she refused to go out on account of the money." Mr. Guerin at the city inquests: "...I knew she was a stubborn sort of person. I had no reason to argue with her because I knew it was foolish" (inquest transcript, 12/02/1942). Recalled by waiter and survivor John Rizzo, age 22 (Born 1/18/1920. Died 9/20/2016, age 96. Last residence Lynn, MA), in 1992: "I saw a heavy lady, Mrs. Swett, the cashier. I said, 'Take the money, let's go,' but she said, 'I can't leave the money'" (The Boston Sunday Globe, 11/22/1992). Malden Evening News, 11/30/1942: "She was found at her desk, overcome by smoke and gas, and passed away in an ambulance on the way to Cambridge hospital." Unidentified remains were detailed in The Boston Post, 11/30/1942: "Between 50 and 60 years old, weighing 180 pounds and standing about five feet, seven inches tall. Had brown eyes and gray mixed hair, and artificial upper teeth..." One of three casualties identified early Monday at Watson Funeral Home, in Cambridge, MA, all female (also Miss Beatrice Conway, age 28, and Mrs. Josephine Donovan, age 34, both patrons). Was divorced, former husband Arthur B. Dalrymple (Born 3/23/1887. Died 1/16/1958, age 70), married in 1912, in Boston. Surname was shown as "Dalrymple" in era street listings, "Swett" all other sources (was known by the latter name at the club). Was the oldest employee and the second-oldest person known present at the blaze (after patron John J. Murphy, age 68, of Natick, MA, escaped). Was the eldest fire casualty overall at 67 years, 8 months. Was the lone individual continuously employed at the Grove since it opened in 1927. Late parents Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson M. and Emily J. (Munson) Swett. Father was a former mayor of Eastport, ME. Burial at Hillside Cemetery, Eastport, ME. Middle name Wright.

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