We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to share with you that our beloved RHODA GAYLIS (z”l) has passed away today, May 19, 2026 – beloved mother of Franklin(Jean) and Brendan (Merle)- grandmother and great grandmother to 4 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
The funeral will take place on Thursday, May 21, at 10 am at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd. San Diego.
There will be one night of SHIVA only on Sunday evening, 5:30 pm, May 24 at the JCC IN LA JOLLA
4126 Executive Drive
La Jolla CA 92037
May the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may they know no more sorrow.
This was written by Jaclyn Gaylis Kirschen, her granddaughter.
Grammy Rhoda passed peaceful at 96 years old and I’m still processing that I have to live in a world without her in it.
There was always something on the stove. Always something on the counter. Her door was never really locked and you never, ever left hungry. That was her love language.
She tended her garden like it was her child. She played piano from memory at 96 without a single sheet of music. She kept my teenage secrets without ever saying a word. She changed the way she and Grampa ate entirely…gave up her red meat and potatoes just so I could feel supported on my health journey. That’s the kind of woman she was. She loved you in the most specific, quiet, life-changing ways.
Something told me at the start of this year to spend more time with her. Every single weekend I packed up Ezra and Olivia and drove the 20 minutes to her apartment. And every single time, before I even got my shoes off, those two were already racing to her kitchen for South African biscuits and cherries from her kitchen like it was normal. Because it was. Because Grammy made it that way.
Ezra would climb that big step over and over and Grammy would watch him with her whole heart in her throat. I kept telling her “don’t worry Grammy, he’s a boy, he has to figure it out.” She’d nod, completely unconvinced, eyes never leaving him. That watchful, worried, bottomless love—my kids got to feel that too. And that means everything to me.
My children will grow up knowing Grammy Rhoda the same way I did. A home always open. A kitchen always full. A love with no conditions and no fine print. Every single weekend this year, I made sure of it.
She bought me a leather jacket when I graduated college in 2013. It’s still in my closet. I still wear it. My mom thinks it looks disheveled now…and maybe it does.
And whenever I put on that old leather jacket, worn and weathered and perfectly imperfect—I will feel her with me.
I love you Grammy Rhoda. You are the leather jacket I will never take off. 🤍
Written by her son, Brendan
Our dearest Mom, Rhoda, passed away today at the age of 96. The best Mom I could have ever had – loving, kind, musical genius. She taught me about love.
She taught me to play tennis and we travelled the junior tennis tour for 10 years all over South Africa. She supported me in everything I did.
Grateful to have lived almost my entire life within 15 min of her.
Love you forever Mom.
