Elizabeth "Betty" Rathbun

Florence Elizabeth "Betty" Rathbun, age 99, died on June 15, 2015 at her home at Deerfield Retirement Community. Betty was born in Mimico, a suburb of Toronto, Canada in September, 1915, the youngest of five children. Her mother Florence died when Betty was only four, and her father John died when she was ten years old. Subsequently, neighbors and family members ensured that Betty and her siblings were cared for, though for Betty this meant boarding with different households until she was older. While difficult, Betty's early experiences contributed to her inner strength and resilience, which served her well throughout her long life. She loved school and became an avid reader, able to recite poems and book passages from memory even into advanced age. She also learned to help others in need, and to look for the good in each person and every situation. Betty chose to become a nurse. She studied nursing at the Ontario Hospital and obtained her RN; and took post-grad courses in pediatrics and operating room nursing. She worked in children's hospitals and a mental hospital in Toronto, before accepting a position as an operating room nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. There she met a young physician, Dr. Lewis Rathbun. They were married on September 14, 1940 and enjoyed almost 75 years of marriage until his death on April 11th, 2015. While Lew completed his residency with hospitals in Boston, Betty worked as a private duty nurse. This opportunity to work closely with her patients and their families was very meaningful to Betty, and she often reminisced about them later in life. The couple moved to Asheville in 1947, when Lew accepted a position as an obstetrician and gynecologist with the Norburn Clinic and later established a private practice. In addition to supporting Lew's career and raising their three daughters, Betty was active in the community and a tireless volunteer for local organizations. Betty maintained her nursing skills and was a thirty-year volunteer with the American Red Cross Bloodmobile. In 1973 Betty and Lew volunteered for a medical mission trip to Haiti, where they spent a month working in a rural hospital. In keeping with her Canadian roots, she helped to found the Home and School Association, Canada's equivalent of the Parent-Teacher Association, at Asheville Country Day School. She was also a founder of the Health Adventure, and later, of All Saints Anglican Church in Mills River. She was active in the Republican Women's Club and turned her knowledge of antiques into a successful thrift shop, The Elephant's Trunk, which operated for many years on Lexington Avenue to benefit the Republican Women's Club. Betty volunteered at the shop and enjoyed attending estate sales to purchase merchandise for resale in The Elephant's Trunk. In later years, she was often called upon to help price items for church and school rummage sales. She was also a member of the Vetust Antiques Study Club and several bridge clubs. A life-long lover of books and reading, she also volunteered with the Literacy Council of Buncombe County. Betty made several trips to England to research her family origins, compiling extensive genealogical research from church registries. In the process she met many of her extended family and formed enduring friendships. Following retirement, Lew and Betty traveled frequently. Memorable trips included an African safari and a visit to the Galapagos Islands. Betty loved animals and was enthralled by the opportunity to see them in the wild. Throughout her life she supported wildlife conservation and animal welfare causes. She loved dogs, and especially enjoyed the therapy dog visits at Deerfield. She also loved birds, and to the end of her life maintained a bird feeder and delighted in identifying birds. Betty was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by three daughters, Alexandra Kiefer and her husband John of Mills River, NC, Linda Taylor and her husband Donald of Middleburg, VA, and Laurel Hunt of Asheville. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Christa and Susannah Eversman, Abbie Taylor, Alex Taylor (wife Julia), and Lizzie Dove (husband Colin), and four great-grandchildren. She enjoyed helping others and will be remembered for her thoughtfulness and positive attitude as guideposts of her life. The family extends its deepest gratitude to the devoted caregivers who assisted Betty and Lew during their last years. Services will be held on Saturday, June 20th, 11 am, at St. Giles Chapel on the campus of Deerfield Retirement Community. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be made to the Asheville Humane Society, Mission Rathbun House, Smile Train, or to the charity of your choice. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.