ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Rhoda Nathan 61 years old , born on April 17, 1958 and passed away on March 26, 2020. We will remember her forever.

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March 29, 2021
March 29, 2021
This year has passed, and it is weird how the lack of traditions have made it harder for me to mourn. I often will think "oh the next time I see Rhoda..." and then it hits me again... I know this is a part of the grief cycle - total denial - and yet not being able to remember her life with friends has given denial more strength. I am hopeful for the time when we can gather. Her smile, laugh and true friendship will always be with me.
May 8, 2020
May 8, 2020
Rhoda was a mentor and bright star at APT, a beloved friend, and it was an honor and joy to have known her. Rhoda's generosity allowed me time with her and Stella and Seymour and Rowdy my first year of acupuncture school.
What treasured memories of an amazing spirit. Her beauty and love touched everyone she knew and I am sorry Stella that she is physically gone. She is always with you in spirit. She will never leave you. And she is remembered and loved.
April 5, 2020
April 5, 2020
Stella,
I'm so saddened to learn of you mom's passing. I met your mom through an adoption group many years ago and I know that being your mom was her greatest joy. She was always proud to tell me what you were up to when I saw her at Outpost and was always cheerful and kind to everyone . She will be missed by all that knew her.
April 4, 2020
April 4, 2020
Dear Stella, After having lost touch after you and Izzy graduated from MHSA, Michael & I were so happy to rediscover your mom at Outpost. Weekly -- sometimes daily -- we shared memories of good times and caught each other with what you and Izzy are up to. Thanks to her, we always laughed together and we always parted with big smiles. We miss your dear mom, her unfailing happiness, her profound warmth, and her boundless love for and pride of you.
March 30, 2020
March 30, 2020
Impish Rhoda was famous for her laughter and brightly colored mismatched sox, along with her warmth and love of humanity, especially for her daughter, Stella. But you could tell there was high intelligence there, too, always caring about others. We are glad for our time with her. - Karen Copper.
March 30, 2020
March 30, 2020
   Rhoda has been a dear friend for many years. I first met Rhoda when she bought a house in the neighborhood just a block away from my house. She and I had many things in common including being single adoptive parents. Rhoda and I always joked that we raised our three children together from two different houses. Our families enjoyed many fun times, holidays and vacations together. I have many lasting memories of our times together. Rhoda was especially helpful during difficult times with my son, and I will always be grateful for her love and support.
   As our children grew older, my time with Rhoda became more centered on adult time together. We spent many happy occasions with coffee discussing good books and what was happening with our young adult children. Rhoda was always happy to share Stella's accomplishments. She was so proud of you, Stella! You were her world!
    Rhoda will be greatly missed! I am incredibly lucky to have shared so much of my time with a wonderful friend. Stella, you continue to be in my daily thoughts and prayers.
March 28, 2020
March 28, 2020
I am so sorry to hear this sad news about Rhoda passing. During my time at MHSA as a teacher and Artistic Director, I worked with Rhoda in the arts and on productions. She loved teaching, supporting students and engaging in meaningful projects. She was a special loving teacher and artist who had an incredible laugh! Sending much love and support to Stella. 
March 28, 2020
March 28, 2020
Rhoda was a memorable and supportive adult when I was a prickly high school student, whom few probably knew that I needed that extra kindness she gave. She gave kindness and tough love to her students freely and will be deeply missed. I remember her fondly and hope that you are comforted by many good memories Stella. Grief can be so hard, and Rhoda probably would have had comforting words for us if we were the ones grieving. Thank you for being one of the teachers I most needed, when I needed you. Peace, Jen Reesman
March 28, 2020
March 28, 2020
Stella,

I know we haven't talked in awhile, but I wanted to say that I am so sorry for your loss. I am sending so much love and so many good vibes your way during this time. The one time I met your mom, she had the most joyous laugh that brightened up the room. I'm sure she's still doing that :) Hang in there <3

- Beck Hawkins
March 28, 2020
March 28, 2020
Dearest Rhoda. You have touched so many lives as shown in the heartfelt tributes expressed here. You came, you laughed...loud and everything about you is deeply embedded in those of us left behind. Deepest condolences, Stella.
March 28, 2020
March 28, 2020
I remembered the first day I was introduced to your Mom. Glen Copper said "You'll just love her.", and I did. I met you, Stella, and loved you too. You visited our home in Minnesota, came to the camp ground, went swimming, and had great picnics. My family loved your Mom and you too. They still talk about those times. I remember our Friday night dinners, I can't remember the name of the restaurant but it had a bookstore next door. We loved going into that bookstore after dinner. I loved working on Spoon River with Rhoda. It was two years of hard work, but what a collaboration between students, artists and staff. This is what made Rhoda "tick". We could not have done it without Rhoda's laughter. You may have thought you waited in line with all these projects and students, but you were always first in line...up front before everyone one and everything else....you and your giant dogs. You will never be alone because you will always hear that laughter somewhere in the crowd. Love ya Rebecca Mormann-Krieger
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
We have many fond memories of Stella and Laura playing together in church. Rhoda and I would chat and laugh while the two girls played hide and seek and found other fun ways to entertain themselves. Rhoda had a spirit of fun, and also a deep concern for society. She will be greatly missed!
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
Rhoda helped me to usher in my first year of teaching. Her enthusiasm and love for people was an inspiration that has carried on in my heart ever since.
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
It's been awhile since I've been brought to tears like this, and I wouldn't have expected it considering I haven't seen Ms. Nathan in 20 years! She was one of my theatre teachers in high school and one of the craziest and most amazing women I've ever met. Her laugh was the most joyful thing I've ever heard and we heard it often. Her outfits and socks made absolutely no sense, but they fit her perfectly. She LOVED her students, not like most teachers love their students, but like a mother loves her children. You could go to her at anytime for anything (in fact I remember skipping many a class and just hanging out in the studio theatre - her classroom). We were so lucky to have her and she will be sorely missed. ❤️
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
What heartbreaking news. Rhoda was an amazing soul with a huge heart. I was lucky enough to be both her student and a colleague during my Montessori Adolescent training. My heart is heavy today and the world is a slightly duller place without her vibrant reds (and purples and yellows and...) in it.
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
Stella, I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet Mom. We are thinking of you.
Love,
 Jennie, Joe, and Hailey Haluska
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
Milwaukee High School of the Arts is fortunate to have you both. Y'all were the first to welcome me and I will always be grateful.
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
I'm very sorry to learn of Rhoda's death. She and I served on the deacons' board together at North Shore Presbyterian Church, and I remember her fondly for her humor, her warmth, her generosity, and her concern for others. The world was a better place because she was in it.
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
Dear Rhoda:
You will be missed by all who knew and loved you so much. Thank you for your wit, your laugh, your smile, and your love for humanity. May we all continue to learn from you, forever more. I loved the time we shared together at MHSA
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
I'm so sorry for your loss, Stella. I'm glad I ran into the two of you walking on Prospect last summer. I can't tell you how many times I've laughed while looking for the other half of a pair of socks - she always/usually wore mismatched ones. I teased her once and she smiled and laughed that laugh, explaining that "It is much easier to get dressed in the morning!"
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
I met Rhoda when she came to my school with a group of high school students who performed their original short plays. Rhoda was wearing a denim jumper which i thought was so cool. Through the years I
learned that Rhoda loved jumpers, the theater, her students, and especially Stella. She always had a pun to share, along with her infectious laugh. Whenever we were meeting for coffee or book sharing, I would listen for her laugh before I would look for curly hair. Rhoda talked about plays, dogs, kids, and Stella. She was so pleased with the writing Stella did while she was in college. She would sometimes share that writing, with Stella's permission. The last time Rhoda and I went for coffee was at Cafe Blue in December. Before we left, Rhoda checked to see if Carly had any cherry danish that she could take home for Stella. Stella was the star of Rhoda's life.
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
RIP Ms. Nathan. You were an amazing theater teacher with a lot of energy and heart! You will be missed by a lot of people! P.S. You had the best laugh!

March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
Rhoda was my cooperating teacher at Custer high school and later, my colleague at King. Everyone who knew her would agree that she was one-of-kind with a pure heart of gold. She was foundational in my teaching career and I will be forever grateful for the guidance and mentorship she provided, not only in pedagogical practices, but in life: how to be fiercely confident with integrity, personality, and style! I’ll always remember those mismatched socks and her laugher. I am truly lucky to have known her.

My deepest condolences to Stella. She told many, many Stella stories!


Rest in power, friend.
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
Stella, I am so truly sorry for your loss. Thank you for trusting me to share information about your one-of-a-kind mom. You were the light of her life. I was working with her at King while you were a young teen. She loved you hard, she worried about you and just wanted everything for you (well and Scrunchy). I am so happy you were by her side as she neared the end of her life. 

I hope your mom is seeing these tributes from beyond. I hope she knows how much joy she brought to people. Her laugh. Her crazy socks. Her unwavering kindness. I know she struggled with herself too. Was unsure. But what a teacher she was! I think her own challenges made her a more loving and empathetic teacher. She wanted everyone acknowledged and appreciated. For years I worked with the basketball program and I was often after school. As you know the gym was across from her room. She loved athletes, loved the artists, the nerds, the goofy kids. She saw everyone's humanity.
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
Oh Ms. Nathan. It was all about the laugh that would just burst out of her. You couldn’t help but smile as it came roaring through that joyous and mischievous grin. A woman of wit and generosity.
March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
We met while teaching at Gilmore Middle School in Racine. We were both theater people waiting for a position to open somewhere that would allow us to put on a show. It was then that she made a trip to Texas and brought back with her a very precious bundle she named Stella Beth. Shortly after that I was called to Milwaukee High School of the Arts and a couple years later she followed me. A year later we switched positions, me going from Theater to Creative Writing and her from Creative writing to Theater. A couple years later she became the theater department at Rufous King I.B. High School. That was about the time Stella Beth appeared in my Creative Writing class. Many of the best choices I've made involved Rhoda and her super positive, enthusiastic, life affirming and a little bit nutty outlook on life. My life and hundreds of our students are so much richer thanks to her love and generosity. Dear Rhoda, "we have seen better days," Sublime days. With deep and abiding love, farewell.
March 26, 2020
March 26, 2020
I knew Rhoda first as Ms. Nathan, which transformed into Nathan Lady and finally Rhoda. First she was a teacher, then became a mentor, and then a true friend. Rhoda poured into me her love and wisdom without asking anything in return. She welcomed me into her home, shared her food and invited me to be a part of her big family. I am so much more because of it. How can I wrap up in a few words what her presence has meant to me? I can't. But this is how I will remember her:
Rhoda
Loud Joy filled Laughter
Invites us into the room
Love and coffee flow
March 26, 2020
March 26, 2020
I’ll never forget the kindness Rhoda shared with me when Max died. She gave me her grandmothers bread mixing bowl. It is a treasure that I will always cherish. Rhoda knew how to love as evidenced by all those who are now grieving with you Stella. She will not be forgotten.

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Recent Tributes
March 29, 2021
March 29, 2021
This year has passed, and it is weird how the lack of traditions have made it harder for me to mourn. I often will think "oh the next time I see Rhoda..." and then it hits me again... I know this is a part of the grief cycle - total denial - and yet not being able to remember her life with friends has given denial more strength. I am hopeful for the time when we can gather. Her smile, laugh and true friendship will always be with me.
May 8, 2020
May 8, 2020
Rhoda was a mentor and bright star at APT, a beloved friend, and it was an honor and joy to have known her. Rhoda's generosity allowed me time with her and Stella and Seymour and Rowdy my first year of acupuncture school.
What treasured memories of an amazing spirit. Her beauty and love touched everyone she knew and I am sorry Stella that she is physically gone. She is always with you in spirit. She will never leave you. And she is remembered and loved.
April 5, 2020
April 5, 2020
Stella,
I'm so saddened to learn of you mom's passing. I met your mom through an adoption group many years ago and I know that being your mom was her greatest joy. She was always proud to tell me what you were up to when I saw her at Outpost and was always cheerful and kind to everyone . She will be missed by all that knew her.
Her Life

Being my mother

March 26, 2020
I knew my mom for my entire life, she only knew me for 28 years of her life.

I won't be able to talk about my mom before she adopted me, but i'm hoping some people who knew her before she adopted me can add stories of who my mom was before she was a mother. However if you asked my mom, she will tell you that she's always been a mother. She told me, in one of her overly emotional extremely dramatic moments one day, that she felt like a childless mother. She felt like she was always destined to be a mom and was just waiting for a child. My mom went through the adoption process and I was adopted October 10th, 1991 at 4 months old. My mom flew on a plane from Racine to Texas to come and get me. My mom had some push back trying to adopt me because I'm a black child and she was a white woman. It all worked out in the end though. She always told me the story of how I danced on the table in the courtroom and how I charmed the flight attendants. My mom loved me before she even met me. I'm so blessed to have known her and be her daughter. Because of her I know what unconditional love feels like.
Recent stories

One of a kind!

June 5, 2020
I just heard of Rhoda’s passing about a week ago.  I am so pleased to have this opportunity to say a few words about this very special woman.  Randall Kim, Charles Bright and I met Rhoda over 30 years ago when she came to work at our theater.  She was loved by all three of us, indeed, it seemed by everyone she encountered. Although we had not been in touch for many, many years, she was never forgotten as so many others have been.  My favorite memory was when I was directing a production of HAMLET and managed to fall out with the cast. I was so furious with everyone that I stormed out of rehearsal.  In tears and not being able to drive I stood helpless....and there was Rhoda.  She handed me a tissue and told me to get in the car.  She then proceeded to treat me to an ice cream cone and took me shopping.  She never said a word but let me rant.  She then drove me back to the theater and I was able to start fresh.  How lucky she was to have the of joy of her life, Stella, and how lucky we all have been to have had her forthe briefest of times in ours!

Rhoda's love for Stella

March 26, 2020
Whenever we talked, Rhoda would update on me about how Stella was doing.  No, not update, GLOWED about how her amazing, talented, smart and wonderfully beautiful daughter was doing.  Proud of who Stella is, she would tell me of how Stella was using her talents. Rhoda loved being Stella's mom, and Stella would always be her star baby.  I know she would not have wanted anyone else to care for her in her last days but Stella.  She rests satisfied and proud of the mature, kind, caring and amazing woman Stella has become.

Collect Calls

March 26, 2020
Rhoda was very generous with her money.  She never held back.  When I was heading off to college, she knew I would need someone to talk to, once in a while.  Back then, it was expensive to call long distance, so she told me to call collect.  I did, and she always answered.

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