Lena (Lee) B Rathbone passed away peacefully on September 18, 2021 at the age of 91. She was born July 6, 1930 in Grove, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Maggie and Ollie Branson, youngest sibling to Nadine Burns and Charles (Buck) Branson, the loving wife of Fred Rathbone, the caring mother of Pam, Coni and Patti, Mother in Law to Tony Martinez (Pam), Gail Ott (Coni) and Herb VanCleve (Patti). Proud Grandmother of Jenny, Fritz & Mac (Pam/Tony)) Shane & Teresa (Coni/Gail) Kaycee & Nickole (Patti). Great Grandmother of Morgan & Colton (Jenny) Tyler & Malia (Teresa/Shawn Estes) Addie, Brody (Shane/Tara Ott), Amelia (Mac)& Kellen (Nickole) and the Great Great Grandma of Ben (Morgan).
Lee was greeted at the pearly gates by her Parents, Siblings, Grandson Fritz, Son-in-law Herb as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and In-Laws.
Lee grew up primarily in Grove Ok & Joplin, Missouri where her father was a Farmer. Her family moved in Oregon when she was in highschool. Her mother and father continued their farming in Oregon and worked the Strawberry fields. She met Fred in Portland Oregon in 1947, when he owned a gas station on 82nd & Johnson Creek. She captured his heart & became his wife of 70 years on St Patricks day, 1951. Fred reflects, “I held her hand for 73.5 years”.After being married, Fred went into the Airforce (Korean Wartime) and they were stationed in Texas, where their 1st daughter was born. Lee would tell the story that God provided a comforting face in this time, as she was about to give birth, alone without family in Texas or her family doctor, the delivering Doctor at the base turned out to be a young doctor she had encountered from her earlier admin employment at OHSU in Portland. When he saw her, he said “I remember you! You were that pretty girl that would hand me my paycheck every week, in Portland”. She was so happy to see a familiar face in that moment when she needed someone from “home” to help her through her first labor and the birth of her first born. She never forgot that moment.
In 1965, Fred and Lee relocated their young family to Weiser, Idaho where they had an opportunity to own a Cadillac Dealership which would become Rathbone-Woodson Chevrolet. They embraced this opportunity and this small Community in Western Idaho. Although Lee did not participate in the daily operation of the dealership, she was an integral part of the business’s community involvement, events and the annual Company Christmas Party! She would take note of every employee, how many children they had. She would shop for & hand select Christmas Gifts for each and everyone of them. At the party, Santa would arrive with a BIG BAG of beautifully hand wrapped Gifts for each child! She loved Christmas! Never was there a gift under the family tree prior to the kids going to bed on Christmas Eve, she would wait until everyone was asleep, load the tree with beautiful gifts adorned with handmade bows & then revel in the squeals of delight on Christmas morning. It was magical. She was always thinking of others during the Holidays, always adding a seat at the Thanksgiving table for others that might otherwise be alone. She would start making Christmas treats weeks ahead, make beautiful, festive gift baskets that Fred would deliver to various folks around the Community. She continued this practice until her last few years, when she physically could not & finally laid down her baking tools.
Lee devoted her life to her family & to her Church. The years spent in Weiser, she was active in all the Children programs and volunteered her time and talents. From preparing food for Vacation Bible School lunches, driving kids to Church Camp to decorating the Church sanctuary each week “themed” to fit the service. She serviced in each Church family where they were, Park Rose Baptist in Portland, 1st Baptist Church in Weiser, Id., The Nazarene Church in Ontario, Or., Mill Park Baptist in Portland, Or., and in her final years (although no longer physically active) Pathway Church in Gresham, Oregon.
She was a master seamstress & expanded this talent in a period where she made the most beautiful dolls, complete with intricate hand sewn costumes & gowns complete with elaborate hairdos crafted out of fake fur. They were even featured in retail store windows in Weiser. She knitted, crocheted, did the most equisite, crewl needlework masterpieces and even mastered oil painting. Lee never did anything “half way”.. she went all out! Her skills diverse and masterful.
In 1978 when the family relocated to Ontario, Oregon, she & her dear friend Dody Willmorth , created a thriving home business called Sweet Art with the motto “you CAN have your cake and eat it too”. She & Dody, created a business that everyone loved. Their cakes were not only delicious but beautiful. Lee carried on with the business after relocating to Gresham in 1988, Lee would often reflect on the special occasions she was part of, through her cake business, which brought her such joy. Many families, including her own, enjoyed Lee’s cakes through generations of celebrations & her creations were always a highlight.Lee’s Grandchildren were a huge part of her life. She loved each and everyone with all her might. She was always there for whoever needed her. She was “Grandma Lee” to all the kids’ friends. She loved the title and never disappointed. She was a mentor, a best friend, a taxi driver, a safe place, a teacher and a loving adoring Grandmother. Once asked “who is your favorite..?” her reply being “the one that has the greatest need”. That is who she was. Whoever needed her, she was there. From her parents, her siblings, her kids, their friends, her grandkids, their friends, all the way down the list, if there was a need, she was there. From arms to snuggle into, a caretaker when you were sick, a fierce defender when the need arose, a shoulder to cry on, needed a ride, a place to stay, a mentor, a teacher, a comforting word, down to a chocolate cake for an ailing friend, she was there and never hesitated. She was at her best when she was needed. She will be greatly missed and the loving memory of her 91 years will live on for generations.God took Lee home & set her free from her pain. He made her an Angel in heaven to continue to watch over her beloved family until they can reunite again in the presence of our dear Lord.A Celebration of Life to honor Lee will be held on December 4, 2021 at 1:00pm at Pathway Church located at 3848 NE Division St, Gresham, Oregon 97030.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18