I think of you often. I’d it wasn’t for you and RLS, I don’t think I’d get this far in life!

You made a difference in not only my life, but others!

I just found out via Google that Lucille died. I last spoke with her by phone in the first Spring of COVID.  I could tell she was somewhat compromised but her voice was as strong as always and she had the strength to participate in a conversation, including asking me questions about myself and reacting even though I did not know if she knew who I was. She asked me when we would visit and I said  I was waiting for the weather to warm up. I meant it at the time but  had no idea how long COVID restrictions would prohibit visiting.  I think you knew that our friendship lasted even for the ten years after I retired from Stevenson. She was very important in my life. I feel for all of you, many of whom I knew, some I only knew of.










A good many years ago, at good ol’ RLS, as  I enjoyed selecting varied classes of interests,  I fondly remember Lucy as a wonderful person and high school director. She was ever so patient and easy going with all of us kids at the time, and was extremely encouraging with our future goals. She  always gave us all excellent advice.

Years later after the good ol’ RLS days,  about ten years ago from today, the last time I saw Lucy was when she kindly arranged a one on one reunion, meeting in the afternoon at a public restaurant. As she had tea, and I had coffee, our brief social chat was a memorable, pleasant one. Lucy appeared just as ever so patient and easy going, bright and energetic, young at heart, just like a teenaged girl, as she did years ago at good ol’ RLS. 

 I’m deeply saddened to learn that she has passed away. My deepest condolences to Lucy’s family.  She shall be missed, as her fond, sweet memories shall always be with us all. Thank you, Lucy, so very, very much.


Lucille was a treasure. Intrepid, courageous,  bold, she took the helm of RLS when Leo died,  and through adversities of all kinds, kept a steady hand that I was only able to fully appreciate years later.

Some of us had a tendency to act out just a wee tad in those days. Lucille was unflappable. No matter how outrageous the provocation, she was an absolute rock in her steadfast caring for us. Along with her compassion, she unvaryingly conveyed the most fundamental and elemental respect for each of us. It was palpable, elegant, beautiful. No small feat. True character.  A gift to the world, may her memory be a blessing.

Love and wishes for your safety to all my classmates, who are etched like gravura deep in my memory and affections.  

Lucille was acutely aware that the tenets and philosophy upon which she and Leo built Stevenson could be paradoxical. The environment worked extremely well for some, not so well for others. She, nevertheless, strove to improve the paradigm to make it more universally applicable, while never abandoning its underlying principles. I was one of the fortunate ones for whom the construct worked. The school, and many who taught there, had a resounding influence on my life in ways which I still cannot fully appreciate nor adequately articulate. Amongst other things, Stevenson taught me how to be more accepting of myself and how to be appreciative of others. I'm hardly a shining exemplar of the system but, had it not been for Lucille's insight and foresight, I would not merely have floundered, I would probably have perished. Her wisdom and compassion provided a benchmark for what we might aspire to attain. The profoundly enriched lives of all who knew her are her ultimate legacy.

She was wonderful. Her and Leo let me know I was intelligent and a good person. She did this for many of us. 

I last saw Ms. Rhodes just before I moved to India. She was as lovely and bright and encouraging as always. It was an opportunity to tell her the ways she had impacted my life and how she helped turn me into a better, happier, more successful human being with a much brighter future. She was an extraordinary woman and it was an honor to know her. I appreciated her intelligence, her energy and her politics very much and am so happy I had an opportunity to know her.

Lucille, you were a visionary for and champion of  thousands of “lost” students (like me) that you gave hope to. Your legacy will live on in the lives of the many who were in your charge. We have gone on to pay it forward in so many ways. Thank you for changing lives, one teen at a time. You will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Jane Handelson Sarnicki, RLS Class of ‘81 

Lucille was the reason I graduated high school. She terrified me. But she believed in me. And without her I would not have gotten through my teenage years. As an adult, it was always a joy to run into her on the UWS.  I was so delighted to see her as active and sparkly throughout her incredible life. Always an inspiration, always a teenager in her heart. She is blessed, and she is a blessing. Condolences to her family, and all she touched at Stevenson.

OBITUARY

Lucille Rhodes

December 19, 1921 – March 18, 2021

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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