Frances Talbott Rathke

Rathke, Frances Talbott ( Flinn ) of Hingham, died on Saturday, January 22, 2011 surrounded by her family, she was 76. The beloved wife of 56 years to Charles Rathke of Hingham. Loving mother of Deborah Rathke-Lewis wife to Robert G. Lewis of Savannah GA, Charles J. Rathke of Roanoke VA, husband of the late Joan G. Rathke and Ellen A. Rathke of Weymouth. Devoted grandmother of Jillian S. Rathke of Weymouth. Sister of the late Richard Flinn of Hillsboro, Ohio. Frances was a devoted wife and mother. She had many accomplishments in her life. She was a world traveler, and entrepreneur. She made and kept friendships both near and far. Fran’s life was centered around her family and her love of handcrafts. While raising 3 children and caring for her husband, she developed a home business she named Yankee Old Timers. She had a love of crafts, and quilting was one of them. She began her business making quilts herself. Her husband was offered a position with his company in Shanghai, China and while there, she further developed the business. She and her husband spent 3 years in Shanghai, and there she met many special friends. They traveled throughout the Far East, Europe and New Zealand. Her quilts were known all over the United States. She retailed them in her Hingham home, and in North Conway, New Hampshire at their log cabin where she also provided live in Quilting lessons. Many will remember her as the “Quilt Lady” of Hersey St. She closed her business in 1994 when she became ill. During her illness, she could never stop her love of the arts. She was able to enjoy and learn watercolor painting and was an active member of the Plen- aire painting group in Hull. Her granddaughter Jillian was the inspiration for her writing and illustrating a childrens book. She was near publishing it before she passed. She attended art shows in Hingham and Hull and she was a supporter of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She also loved the music of the Boston Pops. Fran was a friend to all. Her friendships both near and far were important to her. Her YMCA group from High School in Illinois was one of those treasured relationships. They called it the Leslie Club. Every year they would gather together in different parts of the country to talk about family and old times. They were the support she needed during her illness. She had many friends in China as well as those that she did business with here in the United States. She maintained those relationships even today. Fran was always willing to help others. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a cherished grandmother, who will be dearly missed by all those who were blessed to have known her. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visiting hours Thursday 4-8pm in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM. A funeral service will be held in the Old South Union Church, 25 Columbian St., Weymouth on Friday at 10am. Burial in Hingham Cemetery at Old Ship, Hingham. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Fran may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute,10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline , MA 02445.