The friendly and considerate spirit of Jean Butz Rathmell departed this earth on August 30, 2006, after more than 82 years of a very good, active, and productive life.

Born in Washington, DC as Annabelle Jean Butz, Jean graduated from Penn State University. Prior to marriage, she taught high school chemistry. She married her Penn State sweetheart, Dick Rathmell, and raised their family.

She is survived by her husband, their six children, 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The children are: Dick Jr. of Bend, OR; Diane Wangsness of Austin, MN; Deborah Woodard of North Wilkesboro, NC; Dariel Rathmell, MD, of North Wilkesboro, NC; Donna German of Mount Pleasant, SC; and Doreen Meredith of Hockessin, DE. She is also survived by her brother, Robert H. Butz of Roanoke, VA.

A friendly and outgoing person, Jean made and maintained friendships everywhere she has lived. Dick's business transfers resulted in several relocations; their children were born in New Jersey, Delaware, Indiana, and Ohio. She was active in civic organizations everywhere they lived, including six years on the Ramsey (NJ) School Board. While in Lexington, Jean was a Docent in the Stonewall Jackson House, and an active member in the Lexington Woman's Club, the Newcomers Group, and the Robert Lee Memorial Episcopal Church.

Jean became an avid alpine skier, although she did not start until she was 40 years old, in the Swiss Alps. For many years thereafter, Jean skied almost every winter weekend in the NY Adirondack Mountains with family and friends. When she was 60 they bought a ski-condo to enjoy the bigger Rocky Mountains in Colorado. For the recent 10 years, (until she was 80), they enjoyed two months or more there each year, often skiing from over 12,000 feet elevation down to 9,000 feet. Skiing with great-grandchildren was special!

Jean also loved to travel in small groups with her husband and family or friends to become acquainted with other places, the local people, and how they live. Places ranged from a native bomo (family compound) in Tanzania, the Amazon jungle basin and mountains of Peru, to more elegant accommodations including a round-the-world shipboard cruise with close friends. Travels included tours of China, many Middle East countries, most of Europe and Scandinavia, India, Australia and Pacific islands.

Jean and Dick celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April, and an annual family reunion in July that was attended by all of their children, 16 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren, plus many children/grandchildren-in-laws.

A memorial celebration-of-life service will be held in Lexington at the R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church on 11 a.m. Saturday, September 2, 2006, at the R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to this church, the Lexington Hospice organization, the American Cancer Society, or the Rockbridge Historical Society.

Arrangements are being handled Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington.