Rhonda Lynn Ryan-Thomson

1959 - 2008

Ryan-Thomson

Longtime Fairbanks resident Rhonda Lynn Ryan-Thomson, 48, left this life too soon on June 21, 2008. Summer Solstice! She was at home, surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Rhonda had many, many caregivers in her time of need, who were all wonderful, and they all gave their best and with many more waiting In the wings. But the No. 1 person who Rhonda recognized as her daughter, Michelle, really stepped up to the plate and should be recognized as a fantastic daughter and a perfect caregiver — which called for love and sacrifice of which she gave 100 percent of herself.
Rhonda blessed this Earth on Oct. 4, 1959, in Fullerton, Calif., bringing a very joyous day to her mother, Jeri. Her stepfather, Dean, was equally elated the moment she entered his life and knew him as Dad from that point on. Rhonda will always be loved and missed for the rest of their lives.
Rhonda lived in and touched lives in many places: California; Mississippi; Reno, Nev.; Mazatlan, Mexico; and finally Fairbanks. She became a Fairbanks resident in 1977. She attended school in Reno and Fairbanks, where she graduated from West Valley High School.
She worked some jobs in town with her Sis and then landed in Prudhoe Bay for a few years. Then she began her bartending career in Fairbanks where her final and most liked job was with Jack and Hap at the Big I.
Rhonda was like a twin to her brother, Jimmy, who said, “She was my baby sister who I will miss for the rest of my life. She had a passion for life, family, and adventure — I will always love her.”
There are so many testaments to the lives she touched because she was not afraid of any challenge and would take anything on that filled her zest for life, which she shared throughout her short years. She had a gift for touching lives from young to old — from family to friends — and made everybody feel as if they were all family as is witnessed by her many nicknames: Ma, Sissy, Bunkie, Gal Pals, Partner, Na-Na, Motheeer, Bicycle Barb, Libra Sister and many more endearing names that only you know. Rhonda made sure all of her adopted family felt special. There’s Shelby, who has always been part of Rhonda’s family.
Shelby stayed with her and traveled with her to Mazatlan. Shelby is now and has been part of the family that Rhonda left behind but is not forgotten! Rhonda’s “family” knows that she taught them what family is all about and most of all what it is to have a mom, mother, and grandmother who loves all of them and she showed them how to love. She was the most strong-willed woman they had ever met, who expected a lot but yet was a generous partner, mother, grandmother and friend.
Rhonda touched lives from Chatanika to Dawson — Arctic Man to Mazatlan — Bob’s Bob-0-Que to Haps’ Shakespeare to Denali, the list goes on and on where a story can always be told. And a trinket can always be found that she brought to you to treasure and remember her always. Rhonda always had a place and a plate for everyone.
One very special bond she had in her life was with her nine-year partner Bill Thies who shared in everything from feeding to greeting all the people she touched. He also shared the times of travel whether it be at home or away and with or without friends and family. He has earned a very special spot in Rhonda’s life and all of our hearts.
Rhonda was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert Steven Ryan and John Vincent Ryan; aunt, Bobbie Darshay; and her husband, George Thomson.
She is lovingly survived by her mother and father, Jeri and Dean Morrison of Mazatlan; brother, Jim Ryan of Anchorage; sister, Bonni Kopf of Fairbanks; longtime companion, Bill Thies of Fairbanks; and step family, Michelle and Bob Van Hatten, Michael Thies and Shelby Nesbitt; grandchildren, Kasandra Pendley, Kyle Van Hatten, Brandon Van Hatten, Daniel Van Hatten and Nathan Peter; uncles and aunts, Ray and Sharon Funderburk, Judy McKinley, Ken Funderburk, Art Olson and Shirley Schneider; nephews, Sean Michael Ryan, Brennon Ryan and Sean Patrick Ryan; niece, Rachael Ryan; cousins, Tonya Rameier, Dana Darshay, Chelsie Darshay, Joseph Darshay and Guy Darshay; and her friends who she considered her family.
One thing Ronnie wanted was that she continue to travel, so her cremains will go to many places with Uncle Art in his plane, including the upper and lower Chena River and Mazatlan.
A celebration of Rhonda’s life will be held from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the Boatel, where she loved to share times and food and her cat Tip with all.
Arrangements were by Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.