Sylvia (Barth) Rathmann, 78, lifelong resident of the Binghamton area, died peacefully in the arms of the Lord on Saturday, May 13, 2006, surrounded by her family after a long illness. She was predeceased by her parents, Edna and Harry Barth. She is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, Harry Rathmann, Binghamton; and her treasured sister, Betty Riker, Binghamton; daughter and son-in-law, Linda Gibbon and Jeffrey Gibbon, Norwich, N.Y.; son, David Rathmann and his special friend, Teresa Hsu, Ithaca, N.Y.; son and daughter-in-law, John and Diane Rathmann, Millersville, Md.; grandchildren, Amanda and Rebecca Gibbon, Daniel Rathmann, and Lindsey Haag; and several nieces and nephews. Sylvia was a lifelong member of West Presbyterian Church. One of her greatest joys was singing in the choir with which she was a member of 35 years. She was a retired secretary from the law firm of Hinman, Howard & Kattel where she worked both before and after raising her children. After her retirement, she loved working in her flower gardens, volunteering for CHOW, often lunched with her friends, and took special joy in doing things with her grandchildren. She never tired of taking them to the Zoo, the Discovery Center, and riding all the carousels of Broome County. She will always be loved and missed by her family and friends.
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Barber Memorial Home, Inc., 428 Main St., Johnson City. Her pastor, the Rev. Andrew Stehlik, will officiate. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Wednesday at 10 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to West Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 80 Main St., Binghamton, N.Y. 13905..