Comments on: Goodbye to an Incredible and Courageous Woman

By: Michelle Gaski

Michelle Gaski — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:46:06 +0000

I’ve met several of Rhondas co-workers but for those of you I haven’t, I’m sure I’ve heard tons about you. My name is Michelle and I had the honor of being Rhonda’s friend for 15 years. I was drawn to her the moment we met and it seemed like we had been friends forever. Fifteen years ago, I had no idea what kind of courageous, fearless women I had just met.
She was always telling me amazing stories about the people she worked with at Ovation Benefits and I often wondered…. “Can they all be that great?” Well, the answer is YES!! She appreciated the friendships she had with everYone at Ovation so much. All of you allowed her to just be… Rhonda. If she was not feeling well or just having a tough day, she still wanted to be at work to be with all of you.
She taught me to love unconditionally, the importance of forgivness and how important it is to say “I love you” among many other things.
I will never forget the love everyone at Ovation Benefits had for her.I understand it and I share it with you. The world seems very different now however I choose to feel lucky. I’m lucky to have had her in my life.
You can be sure I’ll be crashing a happy hour of Ovation sometime soon. I was Rhonda’s friend ya’know!!!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:21:54 +0000

Bill, what a nice tribute to Rhonda! It was well written and right on the money! I can not put my feelings into words for nothing that I could type could ever do justice, but after reading your blog, well…thanks. Thanks for putting all that emotion into words that speak so highly of her, that describes her personality so well, and for reveiling how deeply she touched those around her. I too will allow her memory to continue to inspire me each day for I have learned many of life’s lessions because of her. She is not gone, but has moved on, and will forever be in my heart!

By: Joanne

Joanne — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:27:43 +0000

I miss seeing Rhonda in the kitchen in the morning while we get our coffee, or chatting while we wait for our copies in the copy room. I miss seeing the little patch of hair on the back of her head. I miss hearing her laugh just a few cubes away, or her emails about not fiddling with the thermostat cuz it’s cold without hair! She made great pots of Hazelnut coffee in the afternoon. I will miss that too.
I truly admired her courage and upbeat, can-do attitude about everything. Even while she struggled with her health, she still made us laugh.
It’s so hard to believe she’s gone from this life when she fought so hard to stay. It seems so unfair.
I will miss you Rhonda.
Joanne

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:33:31 +0000

Rhonda was so special and a great friend in every way. She was always so upbeat it became contagious to be around her. Rhonda had every reason to be sad but she never let her sickness and treatments affect her attitude, she was always as positive as could be. She taught me a lot about how to treat people and that you don’t need a special occasion to do something nice for someone. Watching Rhonda’s condition worsen was one of the hardest things to deal with but it made us all realize how to treasure the family and friends that we have. Rhonda, I will miss the dancing in the office but you will always be in my heart. Love, your Matty

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:16:32 +0000

Rhonda, was the pink energizer bunny! She kept going on,and on, and on… She will be so deeply missed! We must continue to allow her spirit to live on by helping someone who is in need (financial, spiritual and/or emotional), by encouraging others in difficult times, by enjoying the birds and flowers around us and most importantly by living as if it was our last day! So let’s get out there and DANCE! We love you Rhonda!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:05:19 +0000

I didn’t know Rhonda as well as many others here at Ovation but the short time I did know her, you would NEVER know she was sick or suffering in any way. She was a trooper beyond belief. She is an inspiration to never give up and to live life to the fullest. She really gave new meaning to being what a good person is… she DID the things you might think of doing but never get around to it. She was a kindhearted, generous, sweet, fun woman and I am honored to have known her.

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:18:58 +0000

Rhonda was such a special person. She had a glow about her that touched everyone she came in contact with. Rhonda was such an inspiration for so many people, and will always have a place in our hearts. She had more courage than anyone I have ever known, and I feel honored to have been able to call her a friend.