LOWELL-Shirley E. (Johnson) Rathbun, 65, a lifelong resident of
the city of Lowell, died Thursday, August 14, 2008 at the Lowell General
Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
She was the beloved wife of Rev. Robert P. Rathbun, pastor of the Fifth
Street Baptist Church of Lowell, with whom she celebrated their 43rd
wedding anniversary on October 10, 2007.
Mrs. Rathbun was the daughter of the late Harold L. and Gladys A.
(Hunt) Johnson and graduated from Lowell High School in the class of
1960. She was employed for 3 years as a secretary at Hanscom Air Force
Base in Bedford before her marriage and 26 years by the Lowell School
Department as a paraprofessional working with special needs children
until her retirement in 2004. She was a faithful member of the Fifth
Street Baptist Church which she joined after becoming a Christian in
1959.
Mrs. Rathbun was very active in the genealogical community in
Lowell, doing much volunteer work at both the Pollard Library and at the
Center for Lowell History over the course of many years.
Besides her husband, she is survived by two sons and a
daughter-in-law, Daniel M. and Carol (Nash) Rathbun of Hubbardston, and
Gary A. Rathbun of Houston, Texas; two grandchildren, Jonathan P.
Rathbun and Rachel G. Rathbun of Hubbardston.
She is also survived by one sister, Ruth M. Meyers of Chelmsford
and one brother and a sister-in-law, Harold E. and Mary E. Johnson of
Pelham, NH; several cousins and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Friends may call at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, on Sunday from 2 until 5 PM. Her Funeral Service will held on Monday at 10 AM in the funeral home. Interment in Westlawn Cemetery in Lowell. Those who wish can make donations in her name to the Lowell General Cancer Center, 295 Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854. For online condolences and please use the icon below.