Rhonda Heth was born in Seattle, Washington on January 25, 1954, the fourth of five children.  The family eventually settled in Southern California, where Rhonda graduated from Palos Verdes High School.  She graduated with a Business degree from California State University at Long Beach, and then obtained her law degree at the UCLA School of Law in 1980.  She met her husband, Tom, while at UCLA and they were married in 1983 in the backyard of the Glendale home where they would reside until 2015, when they moved to west Sonoma County.  She had a successful legal career – 25 years with the Los Angeles Times followed by seven years with NBC-Universal.  She was proud of her work, but it did not define her.
Rhonda was an eclectic generalist in an age of specialization.  She read everything, at least a book every week, from the classics to Pogo to mysteries to Sci-Fi.  She had a razor mind with an equally sharp sense of humor.  She was an amateur astronomer and traveled on three eclipse cruises.  She was a wonderful cook – her prime rib, pies and short bread cookies were famous among her friends and family.  She enjoyed wine and had a well-developed palette.  She enjoyed travel and loved to relax in Hawaii, pool side with a Mai-Tai.  She was a life-long Dodger fan.  She collected exquisite music boxes. She was a Sudoku maven.  She was an avid and skilled gardener.  We all loved her tomatoes, but she most enjoyed her flowers, roses, sweet peas, and daffodils.  She co-founded a local public school foundation and sat on its Board of Directors for many years.  Her interests were important, but also did not define her.
Rhonda was devoted to family and friends.  She always went the extra step to make a moment or event special.  She was a proud Irish lass and organized and hosted an annual St. Patrick’s Day party every year since 1980.  She organized summer gatherings at the Hollywood Bowl, often preparing a picnic feast around a theme inspired by the music or artist performing that evening.  Rhonda acted as the hub of information for the East Coast and West Coast branches of her family.  She created traditions that brought joy to all those around her.  She was unfailingly kind and generous.  Most importantly, her highest priority was the care and education of her cherished daughter, Margaret.  Her combination of love and common sense made Rhonda an amazing mother.  Rhonda was a spark, a shining ray of joyful life.  Rhonda was unique and irreplaceable.  Our loss is profound.