Elspeth L. Rhodin

Rhodin—Elspeth L. Rhodin, 86, gently, on August 20, 2015, in Ithaca, N.Y., at Tompkins County Hospital. Elspeth was born on October 28, 1928, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She worshiped with Ithaca (N.Y.) Meeting and actively supported its mission of nonviolent collaboration beginning in 1958. Active in its First-day school in the 1960s and 1980s, she frequently represented the meeting at Regional Meeting and New York Yearly Meeting, served as clerk from 1976 to 1978, and was a member of the Pastoral Care; Program, Ministry, and Oversight; Trustees; Peace and Social Action; and Burt House committees, on several of which she served as recording clerk.

She became a registered nurse in 1982 and helped many improve their health and lives as a nutritional counselor. Elspeth gave her time freely, aiding the elderly and counseling prisoners at the Tompkins County Jail. Following the invasion of Iraq, she campaigned tirelessly for peace, inspiring honks of support from passing drivers as she stood with a peace sign at the bottom of State Street in Ithaca in all weather.

Her unstinting love and tolerance for all living things set an example for all who survive her. She was a mentor to many and a magical mother. Some will remember her for her letters of love and encouragement; others for her wise words of counsel and whimsical humor; and still others for her indomitable self-reliance, skill with a chainsaw, and ready willingness to work at the top of a ladder in her 70s.

Elspeth’s husband of 57 years, Thor Rhodin, died in 2006. She is survived by her four children, Robin Rhodin, Ann Rhodin, Lindsay Rhodin, and Jeffrey Rhodin; seven grandchildren; a sister, Eleanor Jarrett; and a brother, Alan Lindsay. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Amnesty International (amnesty.org) or Ithaca Friends Meeting (ithacamonthlymeeting.org).

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