Rhonda Gustavson

Rhonda Madonna Gustavson passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024 at the age of 54.

Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Rhonda was privileged to experience life across Canada, including attending elementary and secondary school in various places between NL and NS and continuing her studies at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS, Douglas College, New Westminster, BC, and Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC where she explored a passion for literature and human behaviour.

Rhonda wandered an eclectic professional and personal path that included such a wide swath as arctic research, working in psycho-social rehabilitation, finance, administration, human resources, and executive coaching and leadership. There was even a stint running a wooden boat building school. She found it a joy to immerse in each new sector, supporting people to achieve their highest and best. She was blessed to collaborate with so many generous people in STEM, technical, public policy, arts, leadership, and many other areas. There were few corners of this great country she did not see. Rhonda found community wherever she landed and had a strong sense of service, being an active volunteer and driving force for various local not-for-profits. The common thread in her professional life was bringing strong leadership and management practices to organizations. Rhonda found her calling in leadership development, coaching and human resources, founding and operating Crestfire Executive Consulting. Through her work, she made an indelible impact on many lives.

Rhonda found the love of her life, Kent, and began her true life’s adventure in 1990. Kent shared with her the secrets of pickled pears, staying prepared for emergency, embracing change, and the truth in not having to run faster than the bear, just faster than the person you are with. She would say that he is everything she had hoped to become.

She leaves with the memories of many friends and family members who brought comfort, those who have passed and those who remain to share stories (Rhonda was hilarious, people don’t even know). These folks include parents Brenda Oakley, Wilfred Skanes (Sharon Skanes); siblings Megan Skanes, Randy Skanes, Lori Walsh; parents-in-law Karl and Terry Gustavson; brother-in-law David Gustavson (Filomena Gomes); sister-in-law Krista Gustavson; nieces and nephews, and adored friends Jillian Keiley, Josi Hauschild, Sherrill Orpen and innumerable others.

We celebrate the life that she lived and all that she gave to the world – there will not be another. She left us far too soon. In memory of Rhonda, please consider a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation.

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