Kelly Rathbun

1968 - 2022

Kelly Rathbun
November 8, 1968 - August 11, 2022
Kennewick, Washington - Kelly Rathbun, 53, of Kennewick, WA, peacefully passed away on August 11th, 2022, surrounded by loved ones, after a 9 year battle with breast cancer.
Kelly was born on November 8th, 1968 to Dick and Pat Smyser in Miami, AZ. She graduated from Kamiakin High School in 1986 and continued her education at Columbia Basin College. Kelly completed her education with a Bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration. In 1990 Kelly married her high school sweetheart Kirk Rathbun. Together they farmed in the Columbia Basin for 22 years. Kirk and Kelly raised three children, Sydney, Doug and Cameron.
There wasn't a job Kelly wasn't up for. Over the years she drove a tractor, did the books at the office, operated and managed a domestic water and irrigation utility, volunteered as a leader for her kids's 4-H group, a 30 year member of the Seattle Children's Hospital Guild and was the gourmet chef for the farm crew. Needless to say, no one around Kelly ever went hungry. She was an avid health enthusiast, striving to make herself and those around her healthier. Kelly impacted the wellbeing of the community by earning multiple certifications in water aerobics, yoga, and pilates and teaching fitness classes.
Family was the light of Kelly's life. She especially loved being a grandmother to her 5 grandchildren. She always laughed about grandchildren being the best part of having her own children. Kelly was a gracious host and adored hosting any event at her home and having it full of people. She loved to cook, clean or enter in with her many friends in order to help. Being a gracious and willing host extended to their larger community fostered through attending non-denominational christian meetings. It was Kirk and Kelly's privilege to host Wednesday evening bible studies in their home for many years.
Kelly received her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis in the spring of 2014. She completed traditional cancer treatments (Chemo, Surgery, and Radiation) in 2015 and was considered in remission until the winter of 2017. Kelly pursued, researched, and recieved many alternative treatments, never leaving a stone unturned. She often joked that cancer research had become her life's work.
Kelly is survived by her husband of 32 years, Kirk. Her children Sydney (Michael) Anderson. Doug Rathbun. Cameron (Natalie) Rathbun. Parents Dick and Pat Smyser, sister, Tracy Sublett (Andre), Grandchildren, Dirk Rathbun, Levi Rathbun, Emersyn Santillie, Jace Rathbun, Addison Anderson, nieces Dasha Sublett and Abby Rathbun and nephews Nikolai Sublett, Tell Rathbun, and Taggert Rathbun. In-Laws, Corrin and Cheryl Rathbun. Brother in-law Greg Rathbun (Jennifer).
Per Kelly's request, there will be no funeral services but a private Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Seattle Children's Hospital at seattlechildrens.org.