Rhonda Darlene Brown

In Loving Memory: Rhonda Darlene Brown

July 31, 1961 – July 3, 2023

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Rhonda Darlene (Owens) Brown. On July 3, 2023, surrounded by her family, Rhonda peacefully left the world at her home in Victoria, BC.

Rhonda lived a beautiful and dignified life. She was born on July 31, 1961, to Leslie and Ronald Owens in Port Alberni. In 1974, Rhonda’s family, including her four sisters, relocated to Nanaimo. Rhonda was proud to be sporty, excelling in volleyball and serving as the captain of her high school team. In her teens, Rhonda discovered her passion for working with youth and spent her summers volunteering at kids’ day camps.

It goes without saying that anyone who met Rhonda knew of her unwavering dedication to the well-being of children and families. In 1985, Rhonda made the life-changing decision to move to Victoria after she was recruited by the Boys & Girls Club to manage their Central Saanich club. It was thanks to this leap of faith that she met her husband, Cameron, while he was doing renovations there. They were happily wed in Nanaimo in 1987.

Rhonda and Cam went on to have three children, Nichole, Curtis, and Rachael. She loved her kids profoundly and would rave about them to anyone who would listen. Rhonda’s children knew their mom to be a source of endless encouragement, safety, and silliness. In 2022, she was elated to welcome three grandchildren, Jay, Ryker, and Zahara. To Rhonda, there was no greater gift than being a devoted mom and nana.

After nearly 30 years of leading and developing impactful programs with the Boys & Girls Club, Rhonda joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region in 2006. In her 16 years as Executive Director, she made it possible for more than 3,300 youth to have mentors. Rhonda was a tireless leader, fundraiser, and advocate, and was recognized with numerous awards and accolades. Her career was a source of immense purpose and joy, and she was so grateful for the countless connections and relationships formed along the way.

Rhonda was a doer, a maker, and exceptionally creative—her hands were rarely still! She had a passion for refurbishing antiques, art, and vintage furniture, and an incredible eye for collecting. A skillful seamstress, she poured her talent into gowns for proms and weddings and kept her family cozy with quilts and holiday jammies. She had a knack for DIY projects of all kinds, a testament to her curious and resourceful spirit. Rhonda and her family also enjoyed many camping trips and holidays, with Hawaii holding a special place in their hearts.

Life’s simple pleasures brought Rhonda great happiness: unearthing treasure at a junk store, Christmas morning traditions, dishing up her decadent apple pie, feeling the salty ocean breeze on Cam’s boat, admiring her mom’s garden, swimming at Thetis Lake, growing the perfect tomato, being of service to others, cry laughing with her Ya Yas, and wearing hilarious homemade costumes.

Rhonda brought out laughter in everyone she encountered. Her sense of humour was unmatched, and her stories and observations of life and people would put others into stitches. All her life, she put others’ needs before her own, imparting many valuable lessons on humility and empathy. She had a remarkable gift for helping people to see their potential, even when they couldn’t recognize it themselves. To so many of us, she was our confidante, our counsellor, and our cheerleader. She will be deeply loved and missed forever.

Rhonda is survived by her loving husband, Cam; children, Nichole, Curtis (Ashley), and Rachael (Steve) FitzPatrick; three grandchildren; parents; four sisters; four sisters- and brothers-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rhonda’s family would like to thank everyone who touched her life in some way, and all those who have offered their love and support during this time of immeasurable grief.

A Celebration of Rhonda’s Life will be held on September 30, 2023, at 1:00 pm, at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre (1803 Admirals Rd). Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to join and share memories of Rhonda.

It was Rhonda’s wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region . Follow this link to make a donation in Rhonda's name: https://victoria.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/in-memory-of-rhonda-brown/

“Never a dull moment!”