Cornelia G. Rathbone

"Cornelia (Geyer) Rathbone, 97, died peacefully Friday, April 10 at Baystate Wing Hospital. Born in Springfield, April 19, 1917, she was the daughter of Arthur and Rozzie (Abbott) Geyer. She grew up in Ware, a graduate of Ware High School, and later attended Wellesley College. She came to Palmer in 1937, where she raised her family and was a vital part of the community. Connie was the treasurer of the Quaboag Valley Visiting Nurse Association, a volunteer position she held for 50 years until it merged with Wing Memorial Hospital, and was a past member of the Board of Directors of Wing Hospital. Additionally, she was a member of the Swift River Valley, Wells-Ogunquit and Quaboag Historical Societies along with the York County Genealogy Society and the Ebenezer Learned Chapter of the DAR. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Frederick C. Rathbone in 1993, her daughter Pamela Bilton in 2007, son in law, Albert Bilton in 2013, along with her brother Abbott and sister Lorraine. She will be deeply missed by her son Frederick C. Rathbone, Jr., with whom she lived, along with her 4 grandchildren; Jennifer Kirby, Bryan and Kaitlin Rathbone, and Kristin Novia, along with her 5 precious great grandchildren. She will also be missed by her dear friend, Patricia Bachand of Palmer. Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 14 at 11:00 a.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer funeral Home, followed by burial in Oak Knoll Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. For those wishing, please make donations in her memory to Wing VNA, 40 Wright St, Palmer, 01069 or Dakin Animal Shelter, 171 Union St, Springfield, MA 01105. "