It is with great sadness that the Oakes family announces the sudden passing of Rhoda Leigh Oakes, 47, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015.
Born March 22, 1968 in Fort Frances, Ont. to Judy and Byrtle Kozachenko, Rhoda lived in North Branch, Ont., attending Rainy River High School before returning to Fort Frances to raise her two boys.
Rhoda was an amazing wife and mother who enjoyed the simple things in life. Her capacity for love, and compassion, won the hearts of all those whose lives she touched.
Her door always was open to anyone who needed a friendly ear, and her boundless generosity to those who needed it was straight from her heart with no strings attached.
She was a familiar face as the store manager at the local McDonald’s and loved working with “her kids.” But it was when she was at home, through her passion for baking and cooking, that her joy shone through, whether through her bright smile or in her cookies.
However, being a farm girl at heart, she enjoyed being out in the woods or on the lake, camping or fishing with friends and family; always fast to taunt her husband about how much better at fishing she was than him.
To those of you whose life she touched, and knew her well, you know that she was so much more than could be written here.
Her gift of forgiveness, and her unwavering love for her family and her extended family, will live forever in our hearts.
Rhoda is survived by her loving husband, Brian Oakes of Fort Frances, Ont.; children, Aaron Oakes (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Thomas Oakes (Fort Frances, Ont.), Kimberly Oakes (Vancouver, B.C.), and Jarrett Oakes (Rainy River, Ont); her mother, Judy Kozachenko (Fort Frances, Ont.), sister, Shellie Chaput (Greg) of Winnipeg, Man.; and brother, Patrick Kozachenko (Fort Frances, Ont).
She also is survived by her niece, Malana Carmody (Robin) of Fort Frances, Ont. and nephews, Justin Kozachenko (Nanaimo, B.C.) and AJ Chaput (Winnipeg, Man.); her aunts and uncles, Terry (Bill) Johnson of International Falls, Mn. and Victor (Donna) Lind of Atikokan, Ont.; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Rhoda was predeceased by her father, Byrtle Kozachenko; brother, Tommy Kozachenko; and grandparents, Vern and Shirley Lind.
Cremation already has taken place, and the family will be having a private ceremony for close friends and family at the Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, Ont.
A celebration of Rhoda’s life will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that in memoriam donations be made to Ronald MacDonald House in Winnipeg, Man. c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
