A. Gail (Williams) Rathburn

Alyce Gail Rathburn Orange – Alyce Gail (Williams) Rathburn, 79, of Mattawa Circle, died Thursday, November 6, 2014 at her home surrounded by her family.      Gail was born in Worcester, MA, February 24, 1935, the daughter of Carl C. and Lillian D. (Perry) Williams.  She grew up in Worcester, Athol and New Salem and graduated from New Salem Academy in 1954.   She lived in New Salem and Athol for over 30 years and since 2001 has resided in Orange.      Gail worked for the Gardner Visiting Nurses Association for five years until her retirement.  She had previously worked for the Athol Community Health Service for five years, Catholic Charities for six years, cleaned for families and apartment buildings, worked at a lumber shop on Cottage Street, Pioneer Cleaners, McElwain Shoe Shop and Erving Paper Mill.      Gail was a member of the Athol Congregational Church, serving on the Diaconate for several years and was a Stephen Minister for six years.  She enjoyed her grandchildren, going on cruises and going to Florida visiting family.        Her husband of 22 years, Clarence H. Rathburn died in 1979.  She leaves four daughters, Beverly A. Kaio and her husband R. Kaina of Lutz, FL, Lilly (Annie) Pacilio and her husband Eric A. of Ormand Beach, FL, Hazel E. LeClaire and her husband Thomas J. of Orange and Alyce G. Hubbard and her husband Joseph A. of Bunnell, FL; two step-daughters, Betty Landry of Vero Beach, FL and Kathy Tait of Melbourne, FL; two sisters, Doris Marko of Hadley and Carlene Williams of Lake Forest, CA; nine grandchildren, Jason C. Rathburn- LeClaire and his wife Ann Marie Simon, Jessica “Jessy” E. LeClaire, Jacob E. Pacilio, Niccole M. R. Kaio, Danyelle G. Gould, Zachary C. Pacilio, Samantha L. Gould, Autumn Raine Gould and Anthony Joseph (AJ) Hubbard;  four great-grandchildren, Jazmyne Angela Rathburn-LeClaire, Seaira Rose Rathburn-LeClaire, Maliyah Kay Baker and Zayden Thomas LeClaire-Babits; several step-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.   She was predeceased by step-children, Helen White, Lucille Pratt, Loretta Nickolson, Henry Rathburn, David Rathburn, Sr., and Thomas Rathburn and by her sister, Beverly Boudreau in 2000.      A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.at the Athol Congregational Church, 1225 Chestnut Street, Athol with the Rev. Dr. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor officiating.  A family burial will be held at Doe Valley Cemetery.  Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });