Obituary of Elaine L. Rathfon

Elaine L. Notari Rathfon died at age 90 at Juniper Village. In 1952 she married Bruce L. Rathfon at Saint John's Lutheran Church in Scranton, PA. Elaine was born in Scranton, the daughter of Peter J. Notari and Emma Bodansky. She graduated from Scranton Central High School in 1948.

Elaine attended Pennsylvania State College in the college of Home Economics. She graduated with high honors in Institutional Management, majoring in dietetics and nutrition and was a certified member of the American Dietetic Association. Elaine was president of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, president of Alpha Lambda Delta, secretary of Omicron Nu, and a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Home Economics Student Counsel and Phi Kappa Phi.

She worked as a dietitian for two years, then stayed at home to raise her three children during which time she also taught adult education classes for the State College Area School District. In 1974 she received an MA in Home Economics Education from Penn State University and taught Home Economics in the State College Area School District for 18 years.

Elaine was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in State College for 68 years. She started the first church nursery with Mary Bringman and was president of Women of Grace. Elaine and her husband taught children's Sunday school for 13 years, took communion to shut-ins, and served coffee hour for 30 years.

After her retirement, she volunteered at Schlow Library for 13 years. She loved to read and usually had two or three books going at the same time. Elaine also enjoyed dancing. She participated in aerobic dance classes at the YMCA for 40 years and belonged to two ballroom dance clubs.

She is survived by her husband Bruce of 68 years, her sister Vivian Hartman of Scranton, her children William Rathfon (Dana Reed) of State College, Ellen Rathfon, of Alexandria, VA, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Notari, and her daughter, Joyce Rathfon, who died in 2018.

A brief outdoor memorial service for friends and family is scheduled for Saturday, May 22nd at 11:00 a.m at the columbarium at Grace Lutheran Church in State College, PA. Rev. Scott E. Schul will officiate the ceremony, assisted by Rev. Carolyn K. Hetrick.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts in Elaine's memory be sent to Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen Street, State College, PA 16801.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.