Maureen Julia Rathfon was born June 5, 1937, in Omaha, Neb., to Violet Hendricks Moylan and John Joseph Moylan. She attended Holy Name Catholic Grade and High School, followed by Creighton University College of Nursing (class of 1958).
Maureen soon moved to California with college friends and practiced nursing at UC Berkeley. She met Barry L. Rathfon at UC Berkeley underprivileged children’s Cal Camp at Lake Alpine in the Sierra Mountains in June of 1962. A short courtship and engagement led to their marriage on June 15, 1963. Maureen moved her nursing career to UC Davis Student Health Center while Barry attended veterinary medical school. After a brief internship in New York City and private practice in Southern California, Maureen and Barry moved back to Davis in 1967. This became their permanent home and Maureen continued her love for nursing for 35 years while they raised their family.
Ann Marie was their first born, followed by John Alan and Kathleen Barry. The family had a most adventurous and memorable growing process. Outstanding among the many wonderful memories was an 80-mile, 10-day backpacking trip with very close family friends across the Sierra Nevada wilderness in 1978. In 1981, the Rathfons backpacked through eight countries in Europe for eight weeks. This trip came as a result of an off-handed comment made about the United States and was designed to point out the heritage of other parts of the world.
Skiing has always been a beloved winter sport for the family and from the 100-year-old cabin they escaped to in Dutch Flat, Calif., they were able to hone their skills. After “checking out” Utah, Colorado and Idaho, everyone agreed at some point in their lives to find their way back to Idaho and close to Bald Mountain.
Maureen was always an active volunteer and served on the board of directors for Lighthouse for the Blind Davis/Dixon Chapter for 10 years while living in Davis. After moving to Ketchum, Idaho, with her husband in 1998, Maureen held a position on the Community Library Board for seven years and continued to volunteer for the Gold Mine Thrift Store until earlier this year. As a member of Our Lady of the Snows parish in Ketchum, she saw the need for social gathering and after getting approval from Father John Morgan, she organized a hospitality hour following the Saturday evening mass. Maureen was able to manage and enjoy this activity for five years.
Maureen, while at home and surrounded by her family, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Aug. 29, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents, older brother Dr. Thomas Moylan (Mary) of Missoula, Mont., in 2005, and younger brother John Moylan (Susan) of Omaha, Neb., in 2012.
Maureen is survived by her husband and lover of 52 years; sister Kathleen Brown (Larry) of Denver, Colo.; and children Ann of Boise, John (Emilee) of Hailey, and Kathleen of Nampa. Also surviving their grandmother—of whom she was very proud and everyone who knew her can attest!!!—are Katelyn Margaret and Allison Maureen Rathfon of Hailey, soon to be joined by a brother or sister, and Macy Ann and Patrick Warren Burch of Nampa. There are also many nieces and nephews throughout the West.
Through her years of nursing, volunteerism and commitment to her faith, Maureen had a positive impact in the lives of many people. Maureen will be remembered for her spunk and tenacity. Each person along that path had an equally rewarding influence on her life.
A vigil service will be held Thursday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Sun Valley, Idaho. Funeral Mass service will be held on Friday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m., also at Our Lady of the Snows. A reception will immediately follow.
As an expression of your remembrance, memorial contributions may be made to the Ketchum Community Library or charity of your choosing.
