Sandra Christine Rhoads

Rhoads, Sandra Christine SAN DIEGO -- Beautiful Sandi was born on June 15, 1945 and passed away on March 6, 2014. She had gallantly fought cancer with grace and spirit always concerned about how other people would be affected. Both her father and mother were in the U.S. Coast Guard. After moving from Ohio, where she was born, to San Diego, she had a natural affinity for the ocean and spent as much time as she could in its environs. She wrote a series of short stories about her childhood, but mostly about her Dad and the various trips she took upon his boats. Her favorite book was "Old Man of the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway. Sandi was always very involved in her family, in her church, and in her community. She was extremely active as President of the Junior Women's Club and spent hours when the cedar fires took many homes and left its residents homeless and without food and clothing. She organized the club to solicit local business to collect and distribute the necessities the fire victims needed. Sandi was active in other causes such as United Way, Beautification Projects, and she developed the Kid's Safety Programs in East County. After she became a single mom, she made sure her children didn't lack for anything. She worked in retail, real estates sales, home furnishing stores, and even opened up her own design studio. Anyone who knew her would say she was special--- a true renaissance woman. She is survived by her son, Jim (Lina); her daughter, Becky; her adopted son, Gerald; her step-daughter, Colby; grandchildren, Damon (15), Mia (13), Giselle (11), Brett (24); and longtime love, Vin. ~~~~ "So Sandy, we say to you, May your joys be as Deep as the Ocean, Your sorrows as white As its foam." ~~~~ Services will be held at 10 a.m., on Friday, April 11th at the Church of the Nativity, 6309 El Apajo Rd., Rancho Santa Fe, CA. 92067. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations be made in Sandy's name, to the Cancer Society and the Multiple Sclerosis.