August 21, 1950 - September 30, 2022
In loving memory ~
It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Rhonda on September 30, 2022, at the age of 72. She passed away peacefully in Courtenay, B.C. after a long battle with metastatic breast cancer which she faced with strength, courage and determination.
Rhonda is survived by her husband Dan Fortin, her children Jayme Schuler and Danielle Fortin (Kate), grandchildren Nora and Jack, niece Erin Howard (Corey), nephew Glyn Evans-Percy (Renata), great nephews Devin, Ben, Phillip, and great niece Ensley, as well as countless friends that she considered family. She is predeceased by her mother, Frances Blythe and her brothers Bob and Larry Evans.
Rhonda was born in Edmonton and grew up spending time at her favourite place, the home of her Uncle Jim and Aunt Joan, with her cousins Donna and Jan. She joined the Canadian Forces and served with pride in various leadership positions as a Logistics Officer (Supply) in Kingston, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Bagotville, Borden and NDHQ Ottawa. Rhonda retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force in 2000 achieving the rank of Major. She made many long lasting friends throughout her career and very much appreciated all who supported her during her military training.
Those that knew Rhonda, knew her strength. Having survived thyroid and breast cancer in the 1990s and a stroke in 2021, she never gave up. This was a quality that she taught her family and friends. Throughout the years she dedicated her energy in support of the breast cancer awareness community. She volunteered her time in supporting others that had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and assisted in raising money for those going through treatment as well as for medical research. She became an active paddler with the Ottawa Busting Out dragon boat team and participated in many competitions.
Her favourite past times were sewing and knitting for the kids and grandkids. She was always ready for a 'friendly' game of Euchre and proudly claimed the women's team had beaten the men's most of the time. Rhonda enjoyed her trips overseas and cruising the oceans. Both Rhonda and Dan met fantastic people while RVing across Canada (from PEI to Vancouver Island) and during their extended stays on both Florida coasts.
Rhonda's life was always about others. She touched so many lives and each one will have a special 'Rhonda' story to tell. She was an amazing woman, a great wife, mother, grandmother and auntie. She became an adopted sister and mom to so many. She was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren, supporting them in all their endeavours. She especially enjoyed watching Nora and Jack in the pool, on the ice, or playing in the snow.
Rhonda provided hope to those around her, she showed strength in everything she did, and she believed in everyone around her. Our hope is that everyone that was touched by her will take those lessons and move forward in your lives as she did in hers. To say she will be missed is an understatement. The world has lost a truly remarkable woman but we have no doubt her spirit will be kept alive by those who knew her.
A private family gathering will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rhonda's name can be made to a breast cancer organization of your choice or to the Comox Valley Hospice Society.
Rhonda's family would like to extend a heart-felt thanks to the nursing and counselling staff of the Aitken Community Hospice/Comox Valley Hospice Society who provided such kind and compassionate care.