By Christine Silvester
20 May 2022
St Alban’s Coburg West members said goodbye to a long-term member shortly after celebrating her 100th birthday.
Sadie Rathbone was an active member of the parish for more than 78 years, joining after she married her beloved husband Dennis.
An early beneficiary of Legacy, Sadie used every opportunity to share the valuable life lessons she learnt through the programme.
With Dennis, Sadie served St. Alban’s Parish and the local community in many ways, including running Sunday school and youth groups, having leadership roles in Scouting, and through the Mother’s Union and the World Day of Prayer.
Sadie’s contributions to the lives of young people were formally acknowledged in 2007, when she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her work as an Honorary Juvenile Probationary Officer.
Sadie led a remarkable Christian life and although her health made attending church an occasional event, she continued to receive Communion at home up until her death on 17 May.
The Reverend Christine Silvester is locum priest at St Alban’s Coburg West – Pascoe Vale.
