Janet (Jolly) Rathburn

PHILLIPSTON- Janet Rathburn (Jolly), 86, of Phillipston, Massachusetts, passed away on January 4, 2026, following a brief heart condition.

She was born in Royalston, Massachusetts, on November 30, 1939, to Louis and Rosabelle Jolly.

Janet grew up in Royalston on the family’s beloved “Jolly Farm,” where she was the eldest of sixteen children, with eight brothers and seven sisters. From a young age, she played a major role in helping with the farm and caring for her younger siblings—experiences that helped shape the devoted and capable mother she later became to her own family.

She attended high school in Gardner, Massachusetts, and throughout her life held several jobs, including working as a treader, at the Lee Shoe Factory (Athol Shoe Shop), as a nurse’s aide at Baldwinsville Nursing Home, and as a coater at Starrett Company.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband David V. Rathburn, son Brian J. Rathburn and her son-in law Clinton J. Babbitt.

She is survived by her children, David and Julia Rathburn of Athol, Wayne and Julie of Athol, Clarence and Sonia Rathburn of Fitchburg, Julia Babbitt of Melbourne, FL, Glen and Michele Rathburn of Orange, and Robert Rathburn of Phillipston. She also is survived by her grandchildren David Rathburn, Jennifer Susen, Megan MacEwen, Wayne Rathburn, Traci Radcliff, Glen Rathburn, II Daniele Gleason, Brian Rathburn & Jordan Rathburn, and her 16 great-grandchildren 2 great-great grandchildren.

Janet cherished life and devoted herself wholeheartedly to her children. She and her husband, David, always put their family first, sharing countless adventures and creating lasting memories through many vacations, and hands-on experiences together. From camping trips to traveling across the country, no journey was too big or too small when it came to being together. After David’s passing, Janet moved to Florida, where she lived for 13 years, but in the end, she chose to return home so she could spend her final days surrounded by the family who loved her, and she loved so dearly.

A service to celebrate Janet’s life will be held in late spring, with the date and location to be announced by the family.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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