Marjorie Rath Whitaker

Marjorie Alice Rath Whitaker passed away on May 11, 2015 in St. George, Utah. She was born May 30, 1926 in Clay Center, Kansas, to Alice Elizabeth Thompson and Robert Smith Rath. Marjorie was married to Thomas W. Whitaker and together had six children. Because of the great Depression, the Rath family sold everything they owned in Kansas to accept a job as a mill worker and surveyor from Uncle Russell Rath in Washington state. Alice with her two children, Marjorie Alice, age 4, and Robert Russell, age 2, boarded a train to travel across the country to Moclips, Washington. Robert, with a college degree in chemistry, also traveled by train – as a hobo, which pleased him greatly. In Moclips, Washington, Robert became the superintendent of the cedar shingle mill, and mayor of the little town. Her daddy was tall and lanky, calm and gentle. He was extremely literate, introducing the children to classical music, as well as baseball on the radio. Daddy was the only one who called her “Maggie”, and he was her childhood hero. His legacy continues with our love of doing crossword puzzles. Alice had a degree in Homemaking Arts and was famous for her cooking. Marjorie adored her baby brother, “Brother Bobby”, all her life. Bobby preceded her in death eight months to the day, September 11, 2015. Marjorie passed away on Bobby’s birthday. Their home was on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. She spoke of the constant wind, the grey, chilly days of her childhood, which made her love the warmth and blue skies of Southern Utah. She remembers the blackout curtains that were necessary on every window that faced the ocean during the war years. She loved exploring the forests around her town, swimming in a hole by the river, playing in the ocean, thinking they were “at the end of the world.” They loved picnics on the beach, and going for car rides. She was a great reader. She liked school, which was so easy for her that the teachers always gave her extra work, which she loved. Graduating from high school early, she continued to earn a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Washington State College in Pullman, Washington. There she pledged Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with honors. Marjorie had an excellent mind and was always a brilliant student. She played the violin and made sure each of her children received music lessons. She loved to dance and tells about the military boys coming to the college on their way through, to dance on the weekends. She was an avid genealogist; she did perfect handwork, sewing and embroidery. She worked hard growing gardens and bottling vast amounts of produce necessary to feed a large family. She was forever curious, forever learning. She loved knowing things, including mushrooms, birds, and wildflowers. Everything fascinated her; she was an interested observer and wasn’t bored a minute in her life. Marjorie married Thomas W. Whitaker and divorced after 28 years of marriage. Born to their family: Thomas Doran, deceased, married Joye Ann Fiscio. Annette Alice, married Stan Everett. Daniel Rath, married Jody Shumway. Ryan Dee, married Diane Bunker. Cary Lowell, married Connie Gaylord, deceased. Rhonda Marne’, married Ronne McPhail. Marjorie has 22 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent her life in service and love. She will be welcomed home by some of her favorite people who preceded her in death, including her brother, Bob, and her son, Doran. The family will gather on her birthday, Memorial Day, for a memorial and family celebration of the life of a gracious, dedicated, dignified, loving, brilliant woman, our mother and our Nana. The family would like to thank the nurses and the CNA’s at Kolob Care and Rehabilitation in St. George, Utah, for the professional care and great kindness that was shown to our mother during the last chapter of her life.

Marjorie Rath Whitaker

May 30, 1926 - May 11, 2015