In brief

Walter Patterson Gleason , a lifelong educator instrumental in designing and implementing open-area classrooms in Weston and Winchester, died Wednesday of complications from Parkinson's disease at the Orleans Convalescent Home . He was 86 .

Born in Winchester, Mr. Gleason was a graduate of Winchester High School, Northeastern University, and Boston University, where he received his doctorate degree in education in 1965 . During World War II, he served in the Army in the Pacific. After the war he and his wife, the late Jean (Bushe) , moved to North Conway, N.H., where he was principal of Conway Elementary School for six years . In 1953 Mr. Gleason was named principal of Lilja School in Natick. Eight years later, he joined the Weston school system. There he developed a plan for open-format classrooms, which featured an open floor plan sectioned into classrooms by partitions instead of walls. He served as assistant superintendent of Winchester Public Schools and director of education and curriculum for 16 years , during which time he received a federal grant for his open-area classrooms and was recognized by the Ford Foundation for his work, saidhis daughter, Laurie G. Snow of Orleans . He retired to Boynton Beach, Fla., in 1980 and worked as the curator for the Big Band Hall of Fame. He loved sailing, dancing, and skiing.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Gleason leaves two sons, Peter L. of Salem, N.H., and Christopher A. of Pelham, N.H.; four grandchildren; and his companion, Peg Cocroft . A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. today in the Orleans Cemetery.

Kathleen Allen Hovey , 93, a Beverly resident and former proofreader at the former Record Press in Haverhill, died Thursday at Miriam Hospital in East Providence after a long illness.

Born in Haverhill, Mrs. Hovey was a 1930 graduate of Haverhill High School, where she served as class secretary. She worked as a business secretary before joining the Record Press, a printing establishment owned by her brother-in-law Martin. She left her career to settle in Beverly with her husband, the late Carleton B.

Mrs. Hovey leaves a daughter, Helen S. Laus of Barrington, R.I.; two sons, Daniel of Cheshire, Conn., and Allen B. of Rockport; eight grandchildren , three step-grandchildren , 15 great-grandchildren , and one great-great-grandchild. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. today in Lee, Moody and Russell Funeral Home in Beverly. Burial will be in Central Cemetery.