Eleanor Marie Rathbun

Eleanor Marie Rathbun of Woburn, MA passed away on April 30, 2020 at age 86.

On August 6, 1933 Eleanor Marie Daniels was born in Somerville, MA to her parents Charles Gordon Daniels and Della Gwendolyn Daniels.  Eleanor was raised in Medford, MA with her younger sister Ruth.  As a young woman she was a member of The Rainbow Girls and Eastern Star organization. After graduating from Medford High School with High Honors in 1952, she went on to graduate with an RN at the New England Sanitarium Nursing School in 1955.  This is the time and place in her life where she and her future husband gave their hearts to Christ and converted to Seventh Day Adventism.

August 7, 1955 Eleanor married Charles Warren Rathbun of West Medford, MA. From 1959 to 1974 the growing Rathbun family lived in multiple regions of the country to include: San Pasqual Valley, CA -  Hartford, CT - Rochester, NY and New Market, VA where her husband taught at Seventh Day Adventist Schools.

Upon their return to MA in 1974, the Rathbun family had grown to a size of 8, with 6 children, the last 2  being twins.  Since 1974 both Eleanor and Charles have been long standing members of the Stoneham Seventh Day Adventist Church.  While raising her family Eleanor also worked as an RN in multiple hospitals and nursing homes providing her patients with exceptional care.

Eleanor always enjoyed her time with family and church friends, visits to Cape Cod, attending camp meetings, following the British Royal Family (since high school days) and participating in the Mother of Twins Club. She also enjoyed music, with her favorites being Viennese Waltzes, Marches, and her beloved church hymns (especially the song “Jerusalem”).

She is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years Charles (Woburn, MA), her sister Ruth Schrader (Medford, MA) her six children, numerous nephews and nieces, 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren include son David Rathbun and his wife Gina; granddaughter Emily Wingate; son John Rathbun and his wife Jackie; 2 granddaughters Danielle Rathbun and Kelsey (Rathbun) Servi; son Paul Rathbun and his wife Marilyn; 2 grandsons Kyle and Matthew Rathbun; daughter Martha Peddle and her husband Michael; 1 grandson James Peddle; son Mark Rathbun and his wife Mary; 2 granddaughters Kayleigh and Elizabeth Rathbun, 1 grandson Connor Rathbun; daughter Mary DeSantis and husband Michael; 3 grandsons Nicholas, Tyler, and Jonathan DeSantis; 1 great granddaughter Logan DeSantis.

She will be laid to rest on May 8, 2020 at Woodbrook Cemetery (where her parents also rest) on 100 Salem Street, Woburn, MA.