Jonatha "Shotsie" Rand

Jonatha "Shotsie" Rand, a lifelong resident of Pittsford, passed away peacefully on April 29th 2025 at the age of 91 following a period of declining heath. Lovingly known as "Shotsie" since early childhood, her passing has left a tremendous void in the hearts of all of her family and friends.
Born in Rochester on April 5th, 1934, Shotsie was the beloved only child of John W. Rand and Laura Z. Rand (Zeitler), and the granddaughter of Philip C. Rand and Stella Rand (Wahdams), owner of D.C. Rand Powder Company which today is the site of Powder Mills Park. Shotsie's nickname came to her by a group of German bystanders on Main Street in Pittsford when she was a very young girl. It is a variation of the German word "Schatzi", which translates to "sweetheart", a term of endearment. The name stuck as she repeatedly said "Shotsie" to her father so he would toss her up in the air! Shotsie cherished her Village of Pittsford, growing up first at 16 North Main Street, then moving to 53 South Main Street where she lived out her beautiful life until shortly before she passed.
Shotsie graduated in 1952 from Pittsford Central School, the last senior class to attend the "old school" and the first senior class to attend "the new school". During her time in high school, she enjoyed being involved in many clubs and activities, including chorus and GAMS, with her absolute favorite being cheerleading for "The Knights" all 4 years! Shotsie always had an extra special cheer for Lawrence "Larry" Perrine of the basketball team, who was sadly lost in the Vietnam War.
After high school, Shotsie attended Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA with one of her best friends Betty Babbitt, and other dear Pittsford friends. At Lycoming, she continued cheerleading, and enjoyed dressing up and attending the numerous formal college dances of the 50's! Shotsie graduated from Lycoming in 1954 with an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science. She returned home to her beloved Pittsford and became a truly loyal and dedicated employee of Robert A. Nellson as an Accounting Clerk and then Bookkeeper until her retirement.
Throughout her life, Shotsie showed immense love, support, friendship, and endless humor to all whom she touched. After loosing her mother to cancer back in 1970, she continued to live with and care for her father John until he passed. Although she did not have children of her own, she pridefully assumed the responsibility as a godmother and second mother to a few very blessed members of her family. Shotsie never wavered in her dedication and loving attention to her father and godchildren, and for that we will be forever blessed.
Shotsie had dreamed of becoming an airline stewardess in her younger years as she loved to travel! She enjoyed adventures and making memories over her life from Hawaii, throughout the United States, and across the pond to Europe with many of her close friends and family. Most meaningfully, she spent just about every vacation during her working years with her father John, her beloved Aunt Poss, and Uncle Charlie in Vero Beach, Florida. Poss and Shotsie had a very special bond spanning their lifetimes, akin to the relationship of mother and daughter.
Shotsie was known to consistently remember and honor the people in her life. She NEVER forgot anyone's birthday and hardly a holiday passed without receiving a greeting card from her. From corresponding with "Boothie" throughout her life, to "The Kindergarten Girls" where Shotsie's very best friends from the Pittsford Kindergarten Class of 1940; Cathy, Kay, Abbie, Betty, Sabra, Shirley, Betty, Martha, Kay, and Liz, gathered nearly every Friday to have lunch together. Shotsie was steadfast in her loyalty, affection, and nurturing care for all of her friendships. She could always be counted on to be at a baby shower, wedding, graduation, birthday celebration, or a high school reunion. Later in life, Shotsie and her cousin Bob Place met at The Village Coal Tower for breakfast nearly every morning, where today a photo hangs there in their memory. Humbly, Shotsie devoted much of her free time to caring for those she loved including Ruth, Gertrude, Kay, and Poss. Over the years, she assumed the role of staunch advocate, caregiver, and "Uber" driver as their health declined. Shotsie never wavered from their sides.
A proud member of the Barry Manilow Fan Club, Shotsie was first & center at many of his concerts. She enjoyed watching basketball, the LPGA golf tournaments at Locus Hill, Talbots, ANYTHING the color red or pink, and her kitties over the years including Skunky, Jumper, Pumpkin, Tommy Whiskers, and Lovie. Shotsie loved going to craft fairs, including the Old Deerfield Craft Fair with Nancy Selover and her daughter Beth. Every fall she was sure to buy grape pies from Bob & Ruth's and later Cindy's in Naples, and attend Thanksgiving tasting at Hurd Orchards with Curt & Sue. Shotsie relished anything and everything chocolate. She was legendary for bringing Kuchen for Christmas breakfast every year for the Selover Family, leaving red lipstick on little David's cheeks, doing puzzles at Christmas time with Carrie, and her Sunday morning breakfasts at Kelloggs on Canandaigua Lake with the Place family. Shotsie adored Lawrence Welk, Dean Martin, and musicals which she attended over the years in Rochester with Sue Taylor. As much as she loved the colors red & pink, her favorite flower was a lilac.
Shotsie's family would like to give special thanks to Kari Tuchrello, The Maplewood Nursing Home, and the companions from Touching Hearts and Chambers, who took amazing care of Shotsie as her health declined.
Shotsie was predeceased by, her parents John W. Rand and Laura Z. Rand, her dear Aunt Florence (Poss) and Uncle Charlie Zeitler, her beloved cousin and friend Robert Place, and countless other loved family and friends.
Shotsie is survived by, her first cousins David & Nancy Selover (Hill) and Bill & Martha Glaser (Zeitler), and by many 2nd cousins, dear friends, and godchildren who will miss her immensely.
A graveside service will be at the Rand burial site in the Pittsford Cemetery on May 29th at 1200. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Shotsie's memory to Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester. https://www.lollypop.org