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Grace and Bravery

Rhonda's grace and bravery in the face of her battle with cervical cancer was witnessed and admired equally by family, friends, colleagues, her team of oncologists and hospital staff alike.

Passing on December 12th, 2016, at age 49, and merely two years removed from earning her Master of Library and Information Studies degree at UBC in 2014, Rhonda was only just beginning her new career as a librarian at the time of her diagnosis in April, 2016, having been hired as an auxiliary librarian at Richmond Public Library in October, 2015.

Her passion for reading and affinity for seniors led her to volunteer at Southview Heights & Terrace, a Salvation Army assisted and independent living seniors facility in South Vancouver in 2011. For 6 years, she dedicatedly ran the monthly book club. Ultimately, her wish had been to forge a rewarding career in seniors librarianship.

Rivaling her love of books was a spirit of adventure that was satisfied only by travel. In April, 2013, Rhonda combined her two life-long pursuits during a two week internship at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, Scotland. Other recent vacations took her to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Cuba, Latvia, Sweden, Ireland, England and Italy. As well, she visited family in Scotland on 10 separate occasions. Rhonda's list of travel destinations was long, and she had been planning to visit Iceland in 2017 for her 50th birthday.

Rhonda also loved to run, completing several half marathons as well as the BMO Vancouver Marathon in 2007. Nothing cleared her mind or relaxed her more than running. Having worked 28 years at UBC Hospital Cardiology Lab, she knew the trails on campus and the adjacent endowment lands like the back of her hand. She encouraged and inspired many friends and coworkers to begin running, something she sorely missed after her treatments began and she was no longer well enough to run again.

Her diagnosis with adenocarcinoma, gastric-type, and death 8 short months later, tragically ended a life full of love, dedication, empathy, ambition, challenge, and compassion.

She is missed terribly by her husband, Steve, sister Lori and brother-in-law Jim, and father Jack, to say nothing of the countless other family, friends, and coworkers she inspired and encouraged, and with whom she shared so much time. Time that was far too short.

Memorial Service and Reception

To honor and remember Rhonda's life, her immeasurable impact, and her many pursuits, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 4th, 2017, in the Chapel at Regent College on the UBC campus. A reception will follow at the University Golf Club in the adjacent University Endowment Lands.

Service: 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM
Reception: 1:15 PM to 4:00 PM

Directions and parking information:

1.) Chapel at Regent College

http://www.regent-college.edu/contact/getting-here-and-parking

2.) University Golf Club

http://universitygolf.com/contact-us/