D. Loucetta Rathgens

D. Loucetta Rathgens, age 86, passed away Saturday, May 9th, 2020 at her home in Hamilton, Ohio of an apparent heart attack. Lucy was born on February 27th, 1934 to Roscoe and Lena Maude Cottey. She became a Christian and was baptized in the Augusta Methodist Church as a child, but credited her Emmaus Walk to much of her spiritual growth. Lucy graduated from Vevay, Indiana High School class of ‘51 and proudly graduated with honors from Miami University and from the University of Cincinnati. Lucy retired from Fernald Nuclear Energy after 42 years of service, being the first female to work in production as a supervisor. Additionally, she sold real estate for Bowling Realty and was a tax preparer. Upon retirement she spent most of her time in Estero, FL. She was a member of the Hamilton UMC, the Estero, Florida UMC, Eastern Star and ABWA. Lucy served on many committees and was the church treasurer for many years. She volunteered as a tutor and tax preparer for the senior citizens. She could dance, bowl, play golf, play bridge, cribbage, euchre and always did so very competitively. Lucy was beautiful, intelligent and a very capable person in every way.

In 2009, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and many years later, leukemia. She faced it so courageously. Never once did she say, "why me?" A couple of years ago, she was tested for dementia and was a little insulted to think they questioned her intelligence. She turned up at one appointment with a notepad and pen. She told the doctor she brought them to insure she answered his questions correctly. Such a witty sense of humor! When she could no longer drive, she would say Richard was driving miss Daisy (hence "D.").

Lucy leaves behind her husband of 46 years, Richard Rathgens; one daughter, Deborah L. (Daniel) Kerinuk; two grandchildren, Andrea (Curtis) Kerinuk and D. Andrew Kerinuk III; and the apple of her eye, her great granddaughter, Alexa Joy Kerinuk; her siblings, Vicky (Jackie) Dwelly and Billy (Loretta) Cottey and their families; her sister-in-law, Debbie (Dave) Baker and her family; her step-children, Christopher, Maria and Veronica; and many other family and friends. Lucy was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Margie and Alma.