WOODBURY – Ruth L. Rathburn, 89, of Woodbury, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away on September 24. She was born on December 12, 1935, in Woodbury, the daughter of the late Daniel Cookson Sr. and Mary (McGill) Cookson.
She was educated in the Woodbury Public School System and attended Spaulding High School, later obtaining her GED. She was a homemaker raising her children while also being the bookkeeper for her husband’s business. She later worked various jobs outside the home, including being a USPS mail carrier.
She married the love of her life, Clifton Rathburn Jr. on October 16, 1953. In 2023, prior to her husband’s passing, they celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Ruth was a creative and talented quilter. Over the years she produced beautiful, completely handmade quilts, which she generously gifted to her children, grandchildren, friends and relatives. Her award-winning quilts received many accolades, including one that was displayed at the Vermont State House. She also made special quilted baby blankets for each of her grandchildren. Besides her immense talent for quilt-making, she made handmade dolls and stuffed animals. While her daughters were young, she made beautiful clothes for their dolls. She was a wonderful cook and she liked to garden. Along with her husband, she enjoyed snowmobile riding and racing. She loved her family and was nicknamed “Sister” by her siblings. She loved her cat Mitsy, and their horse Brandy as well as the three German Shepard they had over the years.
She is survived by her three children, Ronald Rathburn of Woodbury, Sherry Rathburn of Ponte Verda Beach, Fla., and Cindy (Rathburn) Wemette and her husband, David, of New Haven; five grandchildren, Cliff Rathburn (Sonya), Brent Rathburn, Adam Mokhtare, Jill Leduc (Lance), Curt Wemette (Amanda); seven great-grandchildren, Lydia Rathburn, Devin Rathburn, Jackson and Bode Leduc, and Abbey, Jame, and Josh Wemette; and her sister, Martha Foster of Walden.
She was predeceased by her husband, her father, mother, and seven of her siblings, Daniel (Bunchie) Cookson, Helen (Toot) Fletcher, Louise (Sue) Foster, Marguerite Hill, Chester (Chet) Cookson, Lawrence (Broat) Cookson, and John Cookson.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Northern Vermont Funeral Home, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick. A gathering of family and friends will immediately follow the service at the American Legion Post No. 7 in Hardwick.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Mayo Healthcare, 71 Richardson Street, Northfield, Vt. 05663.
We would like to thank Mayo Healthcare for taking excellent care of her during the last two years of her life. The caring and compassion that was shown to her during her time at Mayo is deeply appreciated.
Arrangements are in the care of Dian R. Holcomb of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick. Online condolences are welcomed at: northernvermontfuneralservice.com
