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Rhiannon Smith Obituary
Rhiannon was born in Rhode Island and spent the first 18 years of her life enjoying its beautiful coastline. She graduated from Narragansett High School in 2007 and then moved to Boston, MA to attend Northeastern University. During her time in college, Rhiannon traveled to many countries, including Turkey, Peru, Benin, and Italy. In 2012, she graduated summa cum laude with a BA in International Affairs and Human Services.
Rhiannon moved to San Diego in October of 2013. She quickly became an active member of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, especially in their Young Adult group. She was a member of the Women's Choir, and served on the board of trustees in various positions from 2016 - 2024, and from 2019-2020 served as the congregation's youngest ever board president.
Rhiannon was also an active member of the Unitarian Universalist community across the country. She became an Administrator for the Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and served on the steering committee of DRUUMM (Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries). Rhiannon also served as a representative at the International Council of Unitarian Universalists conference in Nepal.
Some of the things Rhiannon loved most about living in San Diego were frequent trips to the zoo, excursions to Disneyland, trivia nights at the Rabbit Hole and spending time in her neighborhood of Normal Heights. Rhiannon loved all animals, and loved to sing, especially musical theater.
Rhiannon was a light to all those around her - making everyone laugh, fiercely caring for those she loved, and always advocating for justice.
Rhiannon is survived by her mother, Aislinn Smith of North Kingstown, RI, her father, Anand Nair, of Orlando, FL, her sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and the beloved members of her chosen family. She is predeceased by her grandfather, Paul Smith, whom she adored.
A celebration of Rhiannon's life will be held on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 2pm, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego (298 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103 for GPS). For those planning to attend in person, please wear any color or outfit that brings you joy. Bright colors and unique fashion choices always made Rhiannon extremely happy. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream will be broadcast online at https://bit.ly/4gLKTFu
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by mail or online to any of these three organizations that were important to Rhiannon:
Camp de Benneville Pines, PO Box 82, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
Donations can be directed to the Rhiannon Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund which will allow more people the opportunity to experience this place that Rhiannon loved so much.
https://www.uucamp.org/?p=11216
First UU Church of San Diego, 4190 Front St., San Diego, CA 92103 (mailing address)
Rhiannon was a beloved member of this congregation, and contributions can be made in her memory. https://www.firstuusandiego.org/donations.html
UU Rise, 1600 Buena Vista Dr., Vista, CA. 92081 (ATTN: Katia)
This was an organization Rhiannon regularly supported that provides no cost and low cost legal and related services for immigrants and refugees. Donations can be dedicated in memory of Rhiannon. https://uurise.org/donate/
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Michael Hughes
January 25, 2025
I was blessed to meet Rhiannon weeks before starting college at Northeastern, when we were in the same orientation group. She was always such a bright light on campus, and had a wonderful sense of humor that I´ll miss. Discovering this was such a shock, but I´ll always remember the joy she brought. My prayers are with her family and loved ones
Michael Chu
January 25, 2025
Sharing this from my Facebook post.
I met Rhiannon through my other roommate [and her cousin], Asha Nair Noonan, shortly after she moved to San Diego from the east coast. In recent years we didn't speak very often, especially after I moved away from San Diego, but we kept in touch through the occasional comments on our respective Facebook posts. I regret not keeping in better touch.
I hope this post doesn't come across as disingenuous considering I hadn't spoken directly with Rhiannon in quite some time but I say with all sincerity that I feel truly blessed that I was fortunate enough to know this charismatic, compassionate and ridiculously funny person. When I say funny, I mean side splitting funny.
Rhiannon, I will miss your smile. I will miss your contagious laugh. I will miss seeing your hilarious, bitingly witty and typically "on point" Facebook posts. I will cherish the memories I shared with you. I can't find all the photos we took together but here are just a few I could find. Thanks for the late night donuts. Thanks for the Barona Casino buffet. Thanks for the mini golf. Thanks for indulging in my penchant for silly photo taking. Thank you for being you.
Rhiannon Smith, you were loved. You are loved. My heart is with her family, her friends and anyone whose life was touched by hers. Rest in peace friend.
Jessica York
January 25, 2025
Rhiannon touched the lives of so many in a positive and affirming way. Her joyful spirit advanced our UU faith, and I am grateful. So many at the UUA feel blessed to have known her, and she will be missed.
Dave Cauffman
January 24, 2025
When I was coordinating the Pacific Northwest District Chalice Lighters, Rhiannon was my go-to support person and administrator extraordinaire. I will miss her greatly.
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Catherine Ishida
January 24, 2025
She was such a pleasure to work with as the PWR administrator, and it was when I got to meet her in other spaces like DRUUMM that I could really get glimpses of her bright and passionate spirit. I will miss being with her.
Janet Marsden
January 19, 2025
My first memory of Rhiannon is when my friend Aislinn, Rhiannon's mom, announced she was pregnant in 1989. Her mom is an old friend since junior high, and she traveled all the way to upstate New York from Connecticut with Rhiannon to attend my wedding the following summer in August 1990. Unfortunately, after that our busy lives got in the way and we lost touch with each other until a couple of years ago when we reconnected via email and Facebook. I was so impressed to hear what an amazing woman Rhiannon grew up to be. I was looking forward to seeing her as a grownup and making plans to all get together in Rhode Island. I'm so sad that I never got the chance to know her but she will be remembered.
Summer Cuadra
January 14, 2025
Genevieve Thiel
January 13, 2025
I´m still in shock and my heart breaks over this loss even though Rhiannon and I were only ever acquaintances.
Periodically we would like each other´s cat posts. But this summer Rhiannon and I connected in person for the first time in 7 years at Camp de Benneville. And a couple weeks later at a First UU meeting. Both connections stood out to me. I had just recently returned to First UU after many years and Rhiannon managed to immediately make me feel welcomed like returning home. She was compassionate about my disabling health conditions. I knew she had her own health issues but not to what degree. She had a wonderful quick witted sense of humor and a passion for social justice. I remember thinking after our last encounter that I´d like to connect more with Rhiannon.
Whether big or small moments it´s clear Rhiannon left a mark on those around her. A bright light has been taken too soon. My deepest condolences to all who were close to her.
Elizabeth McMorrow-Jones
January 8, 2025
Aislinn, Rhiannon's mother, is my cousin.
We visited for lengthy times as children & teens, as my family lived in Alaska & couldn't make it "outside" to often. We developed a bond that apparently held for decades, as we went our own ways.
About 3 or so years ago we re-connected through FaceBook & became instantly close & devoted.
We realized we'd shared a lot of similar memories, and just appreciated & enjoyed eachother.
I got such a thrill from hearing stories about Rhiannon and was always impressed with her zest for life, great care, compassion & connection! I could tell she had been & was a truly gifted woman & a shining star.
I wrote this tribute to my cousin, "A", who has had a loss no parent should ever have to experience. I share it here, as it speaks of my heart to my grieving loved one, and I hope also honors Rhiannon.
(On the Obituary):
This is magnificent!
It has got to be weird, reading about her in the past...it must be a great comfort to see how deeply & widely she was revered, respected, adored, admired & just all around LOVED by hundreds, if not thousands ~~
You raised a winner & one who truly made a difference in so many lives...truly, the good die young
I'm sorry to make you feel...
i just insist that you focus on this bright star you sent out into the world. You are to be praised & honored for mothering this jewel.
Please don't EVER forget it.
She'll guide & protect you as you continue to shine YOUR light for her and others.
Don't you ever give up, Aislinn Elizabeth Smith!
I love you
Your cousin, Lizzy
Eric Kaminetzky
January 8, 2025
Please accept our condolences. What a life! Such a loss.
Sarah Ormond
January 8, 2025
I was Vice President when Rhiannon was President of First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. She was a tough act to follow because she was not just incredibly bright but also so effective in getting things done. She will be sadly missed by so many.
Jill Gunning
January 8, 2025
A beautiful girl with an amazing heart. So very sorry to hear of her passing.
Emily Cherry
January 8, 2025
Rhiannon made me feel safe and cared for when I visited San Diego for the first time. We also had just met for the first time, having had lunch with some colleagues, and Rhiannon went out of her way to make me feel welcome in her city. We then had fun at GA in Pittsburgh the next year. She was hilarious and so sharp. I miss her and send my deepest condolences to her loved ones.
Alex Beckers
January 7, 2025
Gina and I are so grateful that we met Rhiannon while singing Hamiltunes in Los Angeles. Rhiannon and I bonded over both having grown up in Rhode Island, and our mutual background with UU. When the pandemic hit and Gina and I moved north, we stayed in touch with her over social media and were able to have lunch together when she was here in Portland for a conference in 2022. (See photo.)
She was smart, and funny, and a fantastic singer, and we'll miss her terribly.
Rachel Tilchen
January 7, 2025
Shortly before Young Adult Camp 2022, in Angelus Oaks, CA, she agreed to be my ride for that particular camp, so after I landed in San Diego hours before the first day kicked off, she picked me up from the airport, and drove me to her place where she and I chilled for a few hours while waiting for her partner Anthony to get off work for the day so we could start heading up to camp. While we were waiting, she showed me around her place, and then she decided to turn on the TV to kill some time while I ordered Wendy's directly to her place as she was ok with that and I hadn't eaten lunch yet. I remember telling her about this then-new reality show I started watching, "Claim to Fame", and she gave it a try. I think she watched the first few episodes before Anthony finally got off work and then we went up to camp. I remember her telling me later that weekend that during free time she stayed in her cabin to keep binging Claim to Fame, which made my day that a show I recommended to her ended up being one she *really* liked.
About a year later, at 2023 camp, she brought up Claim to Fame with me out of the blue, and it took me by surprise because I didn't expect her to bring it up with me again but it made me so happy that she did. And then she brought it up with me again during 2024 camp. And again it made my day that she brought it up with me unexpectedly and again it made me happy that she did. So now that show will forever remind me of her. She admitted to me a few years ago that trash TV shows were one of her guilty pleasures, so it makes sense that she ended up really liking Claim to Fame. So now when I continue watching that show in the future, I'll be doing it for both of us, since she unfortunately can't do that any more.
I also remember, during 2024 camp, during which I was the accessibility coordinator at the time, I was able to allow her to visit Jenks Lake for the first time (she mentioned that she hadn't actually visited Jenks Lake before at any previous camp she went to) by coordinating a ride for her, in addition to anyone else who needed it, to and from the lake. Because of me, she was able to go canoeing at Jenks Lake for the first time, and I am thankful that I was able to help make that happen for her, and help make her experience at camp better as well. And I'm glad that I was able to attend her last camp. I will always cherish that.
Rhiannon was *such* a light, and I miss her so, so much.
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