Mary Patricia (Houle) Rathford

Mary Patricia Houle Rathford, 84, of Crystal Lake passed away peacefully on November 4, 2022, with her son, Tom, by her side.  She was born on May 3, 1938, to Ruth and Archibald Houle, who served in WWI, stationed in France.

She was preceded in death by her father, Archibald, in 1947; her mother, Ruth Houle in 1980; and her brother, John R. Houle in 1937.

Pat graduated from Crystal Lake Central High School and attended the University of Illinois, pledging Alpha Xi Delta.

In 1961, she married Robert Rathford in Crystal Lake.  They raised three children, Thomas, Michael, and Katherine (Chris) Kaiser, and after they grew up welcomed her four grandchildren, Eric, Alex, Sarah, and Katie Kaiser.

For years, Pat worked in her mother’s dress shop in Crystal Lake and was most recently employed at Carson, Pririe, Scott & Co. from which she retired at the age of 80 in 2018.  Besides her love of working retail, she enjoyed playing Bridge, reading, and watching Soap Operas, along with soaking up the sun with her family.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm on Friday, November 18, at Crystal Lake Union Cemetery, Woodstock St., followed by a gathering for family and friends at the Crystal Lake Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Pat’s name to the Hearing Loss Association of America .