Rhonda Lynn Drouillard was born in Berkeley, California on November 8, 1963, to Norma and Bernard Drouillard Sr. Some knew her as Sissy. She was the second born of six children. Rhonda lived in Berkeley, CA. for the first couple years before moving to San Pablo, CA. with her parents and sister Wanda. Later welcoming her other siblings Elizabeth, Bernard Jr., Myra and Robert. Rhonda was raised and lived with her mother, Norma, and her siblings until Norma’s passing in 1996.
After her mother’s home, Rhonda moved to Ruby’s Residential Care Home in Richmond CA. She lived there for 20 years. As Rhonda’s needs increased in 2016, she moved to Branley Care Home, Rodeo CA., until her passing.
Rhonda was raised in the Catholic Church and God was introduced to her at a young age. Throughout her years, religion was a very important part of her life. As a baby she was baptized at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oakland CA. At 8 years old, she received Our Lord in her First Holy Communion at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, San Pablo CA., with all her family present for the joyous event. She attended mass regularly with her mother at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Pinole CA. Later, attended mass regularly at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oakland CA.
Rhonda attended Jefferson Elementary School in Kensington, CA and then proceeded to attend Harmon School in Richmond CA., graduating in 1986. After graduation from Harmon School, Rhonda went on to work for Commercial Support Services (CSS/ARC). Rhonda remained at CSS for the next 25 years until she retired in 2016. After retirement, Rhonda remained active attending day programs at the George Miller Center, Rodeo Gardens and then Guardian Adult Day Care Center, until the pandemic and her illness prevented her from doing so.
Though she was born with Down Syndrome this didn’t define her. Rhonda was a sister, an aunt and a great aunt. She was an Olympian, an actress, a photographer, a dancer, a traveler, a bowler, a movie buff, a hugger, a massager, a shopper, a fashionista, a foodie, and so much more than can be put into words.
On the afternoon of February 4, 2024, surrounded by all her siblings and stepmother, Rhonda lost her fight with dementia, and we lost our sister, a beautiful loving soul. Her love touched everyone around her. Rhonda’s love was unconditional, always welcoming, and with the best hugs. She was caring, loving, with a gentle heart, soul and an infectious smile. She touched many lives and her presence will be missed, but her memory will live forever within us.
Rhonda is survived by her sisters Wanda, Elizabeth, Myra, Kristin (David) and brothers Bernard Jr. (Susan), Robert (Teresa), Doug and stepmother Willetta. Her cherished and loved nieces and nephews Franchesca (Cameo), Marquez, Sarah (Ben), Melissa, Bernard III, Danielle, Victoria, Clarissa, Casey, Easy and Beza; great nieces and nephews Nicholas, Adonis, Layla, Makayla, Titan. She is also survived by a large extended family of loving aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
Preceded in death by her parents Norma Drouillard and Bernard Drouillard, Sr.; aunts Mary Fonseca, Martha Panzer and uncles William Gonsalves, James Drouillard; and niece Emily Pettit; grandparents Guilherme (William) and Mericia (Maria) Gonsalves and Loring and Margaret Drouillard.
Friends and family are invited to a rosary and viewing Monday, March 4, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Holy Angels Funeral Center, 1051 Harder Road, Hayward CA., Funeral Mass on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 22824 2nd Street, Hayward CA., with burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd., Hayward CA.
