When describing Sara Rhodes, colleagues, students and friends call her “an amazing woman with a big heart” whose bright eyes and wide smile could light up a room.
“She took time to check in with staff and students and ensured that we felt heard and valued,” said Campus Recreation Director Victor Lucatero.
An administrative analyst/specialist in Campus Recreation since 2019, Rhodes passed away on Feb. 10. Though her time at Stan State was brief, she left a long-lasting impression.
“Sara was an exemplary, hardworking employee,” Vice President for Student Affairs Christine Erickson wrote in a message. “She was a devout team member and will be missed dearly. We will miss her more than words could express.”
Rhodes’ family held a private service to honor her memory and legacy. Her loved ones shared that she loved to dance and play cards and board games with family and friends. She also loved to watch her daughter, Amara, play volleyball and spend time with daughter Madison and two grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Thelma.”
The Division of Student Affairs paid tribute to her as well. During the last week of February, Student Affairs organized a week-long remembrance and invited the Warrior community to bring flowers, letters and other items that were later presented to Rhodes’ family.
“Our team was fortunate to have a Momma Bear like Sara in the department to raise morale and keep us centered,” Lucatero said. “Her kindness had a ripple effect that followed you for the rest of your day and made you want to spread kindness along the way.”
Student assistants who worked in the department shared some of their favorite recollections of Rhodes:
- “My favorite memory is when she called me little Sara and always looked out for me,” said Sara Cisneros.
- “We would talk about our favorite foods,” said Kevin Tenca.
- “She would give me a ride home, and we would talk about random stuff,” said John Paul Fuentes.
- “Sara and I talked and prayed together one morning,” said Susan Brumm. “That’s a precious memory.”
- “My favorite memory of Sara was when she would cheer and yell when we played volleyball for our end-of-year get together,” said Adam Mungia.
“Having her cheer for us in the stands made us feel invincible no matter the odds,” Lucatero said. “Some of my favorite memories are of Sara always making it a point to tell everyone she was my biggest fan.
“Sara would go out of her way to cheer someone up when they needed it. She found a way to get serious about caring for our team when she saw the need. Whether it was a call, text or a conversation down the hall, Sara made those around her feel cared for and respected. I will always cherish the moments of laughter we shared and remember her as the caring person she was to her very core.”
Rhodes was a graduate of Los Banos High School who earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
She is survived by her husband Rennel, daughters Madison and Amara; parents Debra and Ernie Gonzalez and Dan and Susan Hatton; brothers Joshua Hatton, Chuck Gonzalez, Vinnie Gonzalez and Christopher Gonzalez; grandchildren Troy and Jordyn and a multitude of other family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a cancer society or a nonprofit organization for veterans.
