Sharon Lee (Hayes) Rathbun
Sharon passed a
way in Edmonds, WA after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born in Kirkland, WA January 5, 1942, the daughter of Leonard and Gladys (Riley) Hayes.
She married Lester Dale “Dusty” Rathbun on September 17, 1961 in Lake City. WA. Sharon and Dusty were married for over 51 wonderful years. They shared many adventures together in the Pacific Northwest, including a two week fishing trip to the San Juan Islands each year.
Sharon was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. She touched the life all who were fortunate enough to know her. Sharon’s sweet smile, laugh, loving personality, and her natural gift to make friends will be missed.
After getting married, they lived in Dodge City, KS for 4.5 years before returning to the Pacific Northwest. She stayed in Kirkland for 39 years before moving to Edmonds in 2005. She liked to cook. Sharon enjoyed walking 5 miles each morning, the Puget sound and mountain scenery.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Dusty Rathbun; daughter Kimberly and husband Steve Anderson, son Kevin, brother Donald Hayes and his wife Audrey, sister Shirley and her husband Edwin Reed and sister Kathy and her husband Donald Shaw along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Harold.
Her family appreciates all the prayers and support and invites them to join them for a celebration of her life at the Edmonds Plaza Room, 650 Main St Edmonds on February 16th 2013 at 1:00pm. She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Abbey View Memorial Park and Cemetery in Brier, WA ( http://www.washelli.com/abbeyview/ ).
In lieu of flowers, the Rathbun family suggests a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington. http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp
14 Responses to “Sharon Lee (Hayes) Rathbun”
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Sharon (and Dusty) were wonderful mentors and friends to us as a new couple in business. She really new how to connect with us and help us make our lives better. Though we were in business together she always made it feel like family. We are very grateful and blessed to have known her and are very saddened by her loss. Dusty, we love and appreciate you both sooooooooooo much! You are truly a gift from God.
Love
Charles & Perry Harris
Sharon: I’m sure your biggest concern was leaving Dusty. We have loved you both and appreciated your giving spirit. Will miss your beautiful smile. We will keep Dusty under our wing.
I met Sharon in the early 1960’s. I had just graduated from high school (summer of ’61) and landed a job in the Credit Office of J.J. Newberry in Bellevue Square. Sharon was working there at that time. We did not work together all that long before she married and moved to Kansas, but to this day I remember her. My condolences to the family.
What a precious – welcoming woman Sharon was. Always looking for the opportunity to giggle. She was like an old shoe that was always comfortable to slip on. Dusty, what a loss, for so many reasons . . . the companionship you’ve shared all these years. This is the circle of life that IF one is blessed enough to have the kind of love that you and Sharon shared, will be so bitterly missed.
We love you Dusty!
Dusty,
Sharon (and of course you too my friend)enriched the lives of so many people. Her gentle and fun spirit always made everyone around her feel better than they did before. Jill and I are thankful to have been blessed to have known Sharon. I know these last few years have been very challenging and your caring for Sharon was an amazing example of what true love is. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Love, Stu & Jill
Sharon’s gentle sweet spirit will be missed by all of us that knew her and she will be warmly greeted in heaven, I am sure. Our thoughts, support, positive energy, and prayers go your way. All of our love and caring, Jill and Roy
We are sorry to hear of your loss. You and Sharon have been a blessing to us and we are thankful that you are a part of our lives. Love and prayers to you and your family.
Dear Dusty and Family, we remember Sharon for her warm smile and caring spirit. Her ability to “connect” with people and touch their lives is a great example of what they call Alo’ha, or the connection by being close in spirit. Love and prayers from Hawaii and the Pacific.
Our sincere condolences/ An enormous loss. Dusty- God bless you and yours. Norman and Sue Ludwick
Dear Dusty,
April, John, Erin & I extend our sympathies and love to you & your family.We admire you for your tremendous dedication to Sharon through such a long difficult illness!!
So many friends have been positively affected by her kindnesses and love over the years.
Blessings& love to you Dusty.
David&April
Dear Dusty,
Mary Jane and I have always looked forward to the loving greeting and beautiful smile from you and Sharon at various events. Please know that you two have and will continue to make a huge difference in people’s lives for many generations to come. Your vision, positive attitudes, and faithfulness inspires many. You have been an important part of a business legacy that has changed our lives! Thank you! Rick & Mary Jane Matthews
The long farewell of Sharon’s illness, Dusty, is but a brief moment in the eternity ahead when those of us trusting Jesus Christ alone for our salvation will be together forever. Maybe we will have more ice cream when we see her again! May the God of all comfort bring you His gift of presence and joy. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. Consider our phone call a hug.
Sharon was like a mom to me. Always encouraging and full of hope. I will miss her dearly.
You have our sincerest condolences on your loss. Dusty, you and Sharon have always been an inspiration to Barbara & I. We know you will miss her dearly and applaud your dedication to her and your selfless giving. Being a caregiver for someone you love is a true blessing from God, to be entrusted with the care of another, although fraught with challenges, is, as I’m sure you know, one of the most gratifying things we can ever do. My hat is off to you, you a rare breed, proud to call you our friend.