Mary Ellen Rathbun

Mary Ellen Rathbun, 71, of Evans, passed away at NCMC on Sunday, April 7, 2019. She was born May 26, 1947 in Albion, NY to Howard and Mildred (Hunt) Townsend and grew up in the Kendall area where she graduated from high school. Mary attended the University of New York, Fredonia where she started as a music major and then switched to Elementary Education and graduated with a Bachelor’s. On May 9, 1970, she married Elden Wayne Rathbun at the Morton Baptist Church in Morton, New York. Mary taught elementary education in the Highland RE-9 District until retiring in 1999. She enjoyed music; the clarinet and singing and passed her love of music to her grandchildren. Mary was diabetic at an early age and became a double amputee but it never slowed her down and she helped counsel new amputees both before and after their surgeries. In her younger years, she volunteered with the Highland Boosters and in later years with Chappelow School in Greeley, helping with her grandkid’s activities. Survivors include her husband, Wayne Rathbun; children, Michelle (Mike) Romero and Ryan Rathbun (Jason Eiler); five grandchildren, Madelyn Wampler, Anthony Romero, Meghan and Macey Wampler and Ajay Romero; brother, Gary Townsend and sister, Donna Mort as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Bob Townsend. Life Celebration Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Greeley Central High School Auditorium with a luncheon to follow. Private family inurnment at the Eaton Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to "Chappelow Music Program” or "Greeley Central High School Choir Program” in care of Adamson, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634. Friends may leave condolences at AdamsonCares.com.